Do I need a fancy timing light?

"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
03/04/2020 at 16:36 • Filed to: None

I plan on doing lots of stuff, but realistically I can’t imagine buying any more “classic” cars or doing any work that would benefit a fancy light. The timing on my engine was already set properly before, but the damn shop didn’t tighten the distributor so I really only need to adjust the base timing .The fancy one displays RPM and you can zero out the light, but is 75$

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

My experience has always been: just buy the nice one i f you can afford it...

DISCUSSION (8)

Sovande > My bird IS the word
03/04/2020 at 16:46

I have the nicer of those two. It’s fine. A cheap light will do basically the same thing. I do find it nice to have a tach on the light for adjusting idle without having to have a helper tell you when to stop if setting idle or something.

I actually had an Innova that was the step above the two you posted as well. It broke, and was out of warranty so I got the $75 one to replace it since it still had the advance timing function and I didn’t need the other stuff.

If you need it for a classic car, I’d get the pricier one. It makes things like setting up a timing curve much easier.

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > My bird IS the word
03/04/2020 at 16:46

Buy the nice one. U se it. R eturn it.

lone_liberal > My bird IS the word
03/04/2020 at 17:02

I have the 3568 which I bought to replace an ancient, and very basic, unit. It’s nice for my application since the way the timing marks on my engine are I couldn’t set it for more than 8 degrees BTDC base timing but with the new one I can set it for the desired advance and just use the 0 mark. It’s also good for seeing how much total advance is being added and making sure the mechanical and vacuum advances are working. That said, I don’t know that it’s really necessary if all you’re going to do is set your base timing once and lock it down.

Urambo Tauro > My bird IS the word
03/04/2020 at 19:05

I have a 3568a. Not sure what the “a” indicates, but it’s very much like that second one there. Does that one have a light-up screen? Mine doesn’t, and that would be the only disappointment I have with it. The tachometer feature has definitely come in handy a few times, and it’s nice to no t have a separate tach taking up space in my toolbox alongside the timing light.

My bird IS the word > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI
03/04/2020 at 19:58

Its insane that nobody rents these, even the basic ones...

My bird IS the word > lone_liberal
03/04/2020 at 19:59

Ugh, i guess considering the vacuum advance has never been touched i should actually check on it...

My bird IS the word > Sovande
03/04/2020 at 20:02

My engine builder should have it set ok but considering the overall sloppiness i should probably check. At least those features are useful.

My bird IS the word > Urambo Tauro
03/04/2020 at 20:03

The one with the light up screen is 110$ and is definitely for proffessionals.