What timing light should I buy to use with an MSD 6AL?

[robroy]

Good day!

I'm now in need of a timing light, to properly time #50's new engine.

After looking at a few, I figured it would be best to ask for a recommendation. Here's why: most seem to say that they're not compatible with multiple spark ignition systems. I'd like to use it with my MSD 6AL and MSD distributor.

Any ideas?

Thanks very much!
Robroy

[robroy]

Summit lists four lights that might work for me (all say they work with multiple spark ignitions). Any recommendation on which one's best? My inclination is to go with the MSD timing light, since it looks like a classic unit.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MSD-8990/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EQU-3568/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EQU-3555/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EQU-3551/

Thanks!
Robroy

[cjarvis]

I once had and have again one of these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUN-INDU ... veQ5fTools

The first one I got like 30 years back, and it worked great. Maybe 15 years back I threw it away along with things like distributor wrenches, drum brake tools and other tools I thought I'd never use again. What an idiot! So when I needed a light again, I was happy to see a cool Sun tuning kit on Craig's list. It has light, dwell/tach, vacuum, compression, remote starter all in a pretty red case. I guess I am partial to Sun cuz the big 'Sun machine' oscilloscope we had in HS shop seemed the coolest thing ever. The light I have is well made and works perfectly.

I've seen pics of you truck in carious posts as I browse the site. Impressive!

Craig in MI

[robroy]

Hi Craig thanks for replying!

I once had and have again one of these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUN-INDU ... veQ5fTools

That's a very nice looking light!

The first one I got like 30 years back, and it worked great. Maybe 15 years back I threw it away along with things like distributor wrenches, drum brake tools and other tools I thought I'd never use again. What an idiot! So when I needed a light again, I was happy to see a cool Sun tuning kit on Craig's list. It has light, dwell/tach, vacuum, compression, remote starter all in a pretty red case. I guess I am partial to Sun cuz the big 'Sun machine' oscilloscope we had in HS shop seemed the coolest thing ever. The light I have is well made and works perfectly.

It sounds like you winded up with a good unit.

I've seen pics of you truck in carious posts as I browse the site. Impressive!

Thanks! I figure you meant to type "various," but on the off chance that you meant "carious" I looked it up. It's an adjective describing rotten teeth! Pretty funny huh!

The Sun unit looks very nice, yet I'm primarily interested in buying something new so I can be more certain it'll work, and I'm hoping to have my hands on one by mid-week.

Thanks again Craig!
Robroy

[DuckRyder]

I have an old MAC unit, I'm sure they would say it isn't MSD compatable but it works fine.

I would consider the most important thing to have an advance adjustment for performance work, I can only tell that one at Summit has that. It makes it much easier to work with total advance which is what you are going to want to use on a high performance motor.

Take a look at:

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/search_1 ... t&sLevel=0

http://www.mactools.com/SearchResults/t ... ming+light

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/tools.as ... apon-store

[DuckRyder]

I actually think the two more expensive craftsman ones look like good deals, they are probably made in China though...

I try to avoid that if possible but sometimes it is just plain impossible... particularly with electronics...

[robroy]

Robert, thanks very much for your superb replies!

I'm looking at all the options now in detail. I didn't know that some lights won't allow me to check the full advance timing, so that was very good information for me!

Thanks again Robert!!!
Robroy

[DuckRyder]

I don't want to mislead you, just a plain old timing light will let you check total advance as long as you have marks on the dampener.

What a dial back allows you to do is use the timing light advance to line the TDC marks up. The TDC marks are usually easier to see.

So for instance if you wanted 38 degrees total at 3000 RPM you would set the light to 38 degrees, rev the engine to 3000 and line the TDC marks up. Without the the dial back you are trying to read the little numbers and distinguish between the (rather small usually) marks.

[robroy]

Good day Robert, thanks for replying!!!

I don't want to mislead you, just a plain old timing light will let you check total advance as long as you have marks on the dampener.

OK, I understand--thanks!

What a dial back allows you to do is use the timing light advance to line the TDC marks up. The TDC marks are usually easier to see.

I see!

So for instance if you wanted 38 degrees total at 3000 RPM you would set the light to 38 degrees, rev the engine to 3000 and line the TDC marks up. Without the the dial back you are trying to read the little numbers and distinguish between the (rather small usually) marks.

Got it; thank you Robert!!!

Today's Updates:

After all this time, I'm looking to get my hands on a timing light again. As you guys know, this thread of action was derailed in a dramatic way by my FE misadventure that Winter.

I've done a little more searching and reading about MSD ignitions and timing lights since last visiting this thread.

I found this MSD tech support article: Timing Light

In that article, it looks like an official MSD tech support guy is recommending to buy an old-fashioned timing light (a non-electronic one without an advance adjustment). I found a bunch of other articles with recommendations along the same line too, although most of them weren't coming from official MSD folks.

Today's Questions:

1. Does it seem reasonable to you guys that MSD-equipped ignition systems are best timed with a bare-bones, old-fashioned light?
2. If the MSD ignition's truly sending multiple sparks instead of a single spark for each cylinder fire, and if the timing light is supposed to flash each time it detects an electrical pulse, what keeps it from flashing multiple times for each cylinder fire?
3. What do you guys think of those timing stickers that stick on the balancer?

Robert, thank you so much for your super generous help!
Robroy

[hazelnut]

I think a timeing sticker a great idea for timeing lights without advance ajustment, easyer to see and our eyes are not getting any better with age .

[STROKER69]

Hazelnut I would have thought you would have used a piece of soapstone to mark yours But I have taken a wire brush to mine and cleaned the paint out of the scribe or degree marks, wipe down with a degreaser and rattle can with a light coat of white paint wait a minute or so and wipe it down again but leaving the paint in the marks. Poor boys timing tape.

[Ranchero50]

Note, just keep an eye on the wire with the engine running. I usually loop it around something away from the fan and belts...

Jamie

[robroy]

Thanks Jamie! I've been thinking about that, and imagining the instantaneous and violent reorganization of insulation, wire and battery clamps that would happen if I messed up!

Robroy

[Ranchero50]

Nah, usually it's tink, tink, tink, tink, pucker factor ten, tink, pull...

[robroy]

HA! OK Jamie, thanks!!!

I'm glad to have that clutch fan in there, so at least the fan's only supposed to spin at ~20% of its direct-drive speed while the engine's cool.

Thanks Jamie!
Robroy