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Timing Light -- which one to use

Hemi 354

Hemi 354

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Hi to Everyone,

Just a quick question on using a timing light on my 383. I bought a 66 Belvedere that already had MSD installed. The engine runs good / great, but while always tinkering with things, I want to check the timing advance, etc. This 383 engine uses a 6AL box and a 8545 MSD distributor. In reading through all the documents, it appears that I can't use just any timing light. I have thought about purchasing dial-back units, but information leads me to believe that dial-back doesn't work on MSD. On the other hand, other articles suggest that a normal timing light will not function because of multiple sparks. What's the really skinny on this?

Can I use a dial-back....or should I use the old school lights and not worry about the MSD pulses. ??? Suggestions with model numbers, etc would be great.

Your advise will be greatly appreciated.
 
Well, I've run a MSD-6A for over 20 yrs. using the el-cheepo timing light that you can buy at any auto parts store. Seems to work just fine.
 
I have used an Innova dial back light with MSD 8545 and 6AL-2. Have been very happy with the results. Dave
 
Gentlemen,
I have used a dial back timing light, a Sunpro unit, for years without any problem. When I first acquired the car, a 1970 GTX, RS23V0A******, the original owner had installed a MSD 6C system, triggered by a Mopar magnetic pick up distributor. I removed all the MSD stuff and the Mopar distributor and installed a numbers matching Prestolite dual point distributor and never looked back.....without any loss of performance or hard starting issues that the MSD system is reported to cure. I'm running TRW 11:1 forged pistons with a Crane cam equal to the Mopar 292 drgree 0.500 lift cam and can buzz the engine up to 6500 RPM with out any difficulty. I run 36 degrees total advance all in by 2800 RPM without vacuum advance.....but this is what works for me. I'm sure that others will disagree for their own reasons....
Bob Renton
 
I also have a Innova dial back light.
I called MSD and the TECH guy said it would absolutely NOT give me a correct reading using the dial back.
I do notice at lower RPM on the dial back setting it is quite erratic (I have a 6AL box and MSD Dist) but at higher RPM's (above 2500) it stops acting up.
It seems to work "normally" when I don't use the dial back feature....
I paid 100 bucks for this light and I am going to keep using it....lol. Mike
 
Gentlemen,
Re a dial back timing light with regard to an MSD system....my understanding of what MSD means.....Multiple Spark Discharge....because the system uses a large internal capacitor to furnish the spark energy to the coil (which in turn boosts the 400+ dc volts from the control box to feed the coil primary which boosts it 20,000 volts to the distributor), it can furnish several pulses in rapid succession. Because of the several pulses, the timing light flashes several times but the timing mark on the damper continues to move, hence the "erratic " timing. As the engine revs up, the ignition event does not / cannot happen multiple times but just once or twice....the hardware just cannot charge/ discharge as fast which results one or two spark pluse(s). True, the voltage fed to the coil is higher which results in higher voltage to the didtributor and spark plugs. The best system is what is currently in use.....coil on plug with the engine control computer triggering the ignition system and a Hall effect switch counting crankshaft rotation. Which system is better / best???? You pay your money and take your choice. It depends on one's understanding of what they want to achieve and their financial resources.
Bob Renton
 
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Long story short dial backs don't work with multi spahk disgahge. Old school sears craftsman chrome part number 2134 from eBay for around 35$ or a bit more will treat you proper with MSD
 
Also you can check advance curves by looking in the MSD distributor as well. Depending upon the color of bushing stop you can get a variety of advance degrees and depending on the springs used can get all the advance in at various rpms. Edelbrock recommends 16* initial and 36* total for thier aluminum rpm heads, air gap intake, rpm cam and performer carb top end set up. So for me I set 16* initial and then the stock blue advance stop bushing which offers the 21* advance and one light silver spring and one light blue silver spring and that puts me at 37* total advance all in by 2500per as shown in figure E. MSD distributors come from the factory with the blue advance stop bushing and two heavy silver springs as seen on the diagram. More info than you needed prolly, but I like to share anyways.

image.png image.png
 
Just a note on the Innova dial back lights. For the life of me I couldn't figure out why the engine would back fire from the carb when revved quickly. Everyone says timing I checked and re checked made sure TDC was TDC on the balancer, checked firing order etc.

Had someone else take a look to see what I was missing. He brought his own stuff and checked it using there light. He says you only have 7deg advance. No way it's 16deg I said i checked it a dozen times. Try my light then his light. Yup the advance in my light was messed. Reset the timing then no more issues. Put some timing tape on the balancer and used a normal light and chucked the Innova in the trash. Since then I just "borrowed" Dad's 30 year old Sun Pro chrome plated light and works good.

Just using a Chrysler Orange box and later a rev-n-ator box. On a side note I believe MSD sells a timing light for their stuff, note sure how pricey.
 
71_Duster said:
Just a note on the Innova dial back lights. For the life of me I couldn't figure out why the engine would back fire from the carb when revved quickly. Everyone says timing I checked and re checked made sure TDC was TDC on the balancer, checked firing order etc.

Had someone else take a look to see what I was missing. He brought his own stuff and checked it using there light. He says you only have 7deg advance. No way it's 16deg I said i checked it a dozen times. Try my light then his light. Yup the advance in my light was messed. Reset the timing then no more issues. Put some timing tape on the balancer and used a normal light and chucked the Innova in the trash. Since then I just "borrowed" Dad's 30 year old Sun Pro chrome plated light and works good.

Just using a Chrysler Orange box and later a rev-n-ator box. On a side note I believe MSD sells a timing light for their stuff, note sure how pricey.
Click to expand...
MSD does sell a light and it is very pricey! Old school inductive lights are the much more affordable way to go
 
I had my dampener machined with timing marks up to 40* so I can use an old school fixed light. I don't like dial back timing lights.
 
My innova digital light is dead on, checked against my craftsman chrome dial back light many times, I like it because it has a tach built in, I'm using the FBO ignition though.
 
You can borrow my oldie but goodie, 45 years old, snaps onto the spark plug, the boot is a little melted.....
 
For your money you get high end cords that plug in to the unit . Unplug for storage in a really heavy case it comes in. Protects when bouncing around in the trailer. Easier to replace when they wind it up in the fan ! I've got 3 or 4 others and this is my favorite. sold sold sold Dave
 
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