Which Timing Light to get?

[watermelon]

Hi,

I want to check the timing on my 440 (never done it before).

What kind of timing light should I get? Is there only one type?

I think I need to know the rpm of my engine when checking timing but I don't have a tachometer. How will I know what the rpm of the engine is?

I eventually want to toss in an MSD Pro Billet distributor, coil, and ignition box just to see if I can do it and not screw up anything.


thanks,

watermelon

 

[SUPERSTOCKRACER]

i have been using an old sears/penske analog one since 1973. you dont need anything fancy.
just rev up your motor over 2500 rpms and point and set.

 

[watermelon]

i have been using an old sears/penske analog one since 1973. you dont need anything fancy.
just rev up your motor over 2500 rpms and point and set.

Thanks for the reply. I'll probably just order the Summit one ($40).

I don't have a timing tape on my harmonic balancer. I'll have to look for the notch.

I will probably order a timing tape from Summit too. Do I just line up the 0 degrees mark with the notch?

Also, I don't have a tach. How do I know when I'm about 2500 rpms?


thanks,

watermelon

 

[67Dart]

I like the ones that just clamp on the spark plug wire...some older ones have to be (electrically) inserted into #1 wire...you know,pull the wire from the cap,put in the adapter,plug in the wire again. A tach is more-or-less essential. Instead of timing tape, you can mark your balancer yourself, with "White-Out", or white paint.

Good luck.

 

[SUPERSTOCKRACER]

What ignition system do you have?
if no timing tape get the dial back version and set the dial to 35 degrees or whatever your desired timing is and turn distributor till it lines up to your existing mark on your balancer with your desired set timing on your timing light. i like the old old snap on ones. i have one of those also.
dont get the snap on digital ones.

 

[watermelon]

What ignition system do you have?
if no timing tape get the dial back version and set the dial to 35 degrees or whatever your desired timing is and turn distributor till it lines up to your existing mark on your balancer with your desired set timing on your timing light. i like the old old snap on ones. i have one of those also.
dont get the snap on digital ones.

I got a points style distro but I got my shopping cart at Summit loaded with MSD distro, ignition box, and coil. So, i'll be converting soon.


Can I temporarily hook up a tachometer in the engine bay area just for the purposes of checking total timing? I think I can.


Looking at the install directions from MSD I'll probably go with an AutoMeter tach since no adapters are necessary to get the tach going. Looks like I can take the tach output of the MSD Ingnition Box for the tach.

I don't want to drill any holes in the center console or dash just yet. Plus, I got a 440/727 auto combo. I think a tach makes more sense on a stick shift.




thanks,

watermelon

 

[Deleted member 214]

There are tachometers meant for tuning cars. They just clip onto a coil post and the battery. I know I have a few lying around. Check out your local parts store.

 

[watermelon]

There are tachometers meant for tuning cars. They just clip onto a coil post and the battery. I know I have a few lying around. Check out your local parts store.

Thanks! Good to hear.

I just thought all tachometers were meant for mounting in the interior of the car.

I'm gonna do some more searching around.


thanks again,

watermelon

 

[Deleted member 214]

Here's what I'm talking about. It checks dwell on old points ignitions but also has a tach to help with tuning.

 

[SUPERSTOCKRACER]

If you run a MSD ignition with stock type tach or aftermarket analog tach like a Sun tach. It wont work, you'll need a MSD Tach adapter.