Timing light

Bryan · Post by **Bryan** » Sun Jul 05, 15 10:33 pm

What timing light would you recommend for a complete novice?

Regards
Bryan

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Sun Jul 05, 15 10:44 pm

The BEST sort is known as a "Count back" whereby you always strobe at TDC and the timing light displays the amount of advance or retard in degrees - this works with any damper that only has basic marks and not degree marks all around it like most SFI approved ones. Very easy to use.

I have a "Snap On" that I swear by, but they are a lot of money.....

adrianp · Post by **adrianp** » Sun Jul 05, 15 10:48 pm

Hi,

Have a look in this thread as there are a few brands mentioned:

http://www.moparuk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=49894

I went with the Dave/Anton recommendation of the Equus Innova 5568. Haven't had a chance to use it in anger yet but it has Tachometer functionality built in as well.

Manual is here if you wanted to have a look:

http://innova.com/Content/Support/Manua ... 5568_E.pdf

adrian.

Adrian Worman · Post by **Adrian Worman** » Sun Jul 05, 15 10:53 pm

My old SnapOn dial back light has a tach too, advance & retard functions.
I've had it 20 years it's the Bananarama!

morgan · Post by **morgan** » Mon Jul 06, 15 8:20 am

Snap on ones are super - can set them to do all sorts of things. But they are pricey.

If you are after basic stuff, I just went with one of these. The key thing is being able to set the advance so all you have to worry about is the big-ol-mark on the bottom pulley-harmonic thingy. Static ones without this are a pain.

The thing that is also useful (which this doesnt have and the snap on does) is a tachometer. I got round this by buying a £5 jobby from ebay and putting a couple of croc clips on it...

Pay yer money, takes yer choice. But if you are just doing the occasional sanity check this should do it at a budget.

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Mon Jul 06, 15 9:13 am

I bought one of those a while back when my old faithful snap on finally gave up the ghost. It worked fine until the second time I went to use it, was giving all sorts of strange readings and then it failed altogether....

Just bought 2 used Snap on's, hopefully at least one of them will work, they are by far the best.

TW71 · Post by **TW71** » Mon Jul 06, 15 11:13 am

Blue, have you experienced a shadow/ ghost image when using the light with a car fitted with a MSD 6al?

Powermyster · Post by **Powermyster** » Mon Jul 06, 15 11:22 am

I got the innova light and I seems to work well.

Build quality seems good too

John · Post by **John** » Mon Jul 06, 15 4:53 pm

My Mac Tools is fantastic but expensive like the snap on ones

Carl · Post by **Carl** » Mon Jul 06, 15 5:15 pm

I have one of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gunson-G4123- ... 3a9cf2743a

Not cheap but does everything you want from a timing light plus leads are replaceable. You get what you pay for.

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Mon Jul 06, 15 6:03 pm

I have an old Snap On one from a pawn shop in Chicago and its great. Has a tach and dial in advance facility as Pete described. It cost me $80 inc shipping and prepaid duty. Very easy to use

Bryan · Post by **Bryan** » Tue Jul 07, 15 6:56 am

Thank you for all the advice/recommendations. I will check them all out.

Birdman · Post by **Birdman** » Tue Jul 07, 15 1:07 pm

I got a used Snapon one on eBay UK. Works perfect. Keep an eye out for one, usually, a few going.

Birdman · Post by **Birdman** » Thu Jul 09, 15 8:40 pm

I got a used Snapon one on eBay UK. Works perfect. Keep an eye out for one, usually, a few going.