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Need advise on timing light purchase #1443307 05/28/13 02:04 AM 05/28/13 02:04 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,132 Tucson, AZ Ramrod39 OP My New Title
Ramrod39 OP My New Title Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,132 Tucson, AZ	Well, my Snap-On dial back timing light has bought the farm. I need to replace it. I don't wrench professional anymore, probably don't need a high end light. What are you guys having good results with?

Re: Need advise on timing light purchase [Re: Ramrod39] #1443308 05/28/13 02:55 AM 05/28/13 02:55 AM
Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 43,233 Bend,OR USA C Cab_Burge I Win
Cab_Burge I Win C Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 43,233 Bend,OR USA	Quote: Well, my Snap-On dial back timing light has bought the farm. I need to replace it. I don't wrench professional anymore, probably don't need a high end light. What are you guys having good results with? Is that light one of the lifetime warrenty ones I thought all Snap On had a lifetime warrenty Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)

Re: Need advise on timing light purchase [Re: Ramrod39] #1443309 05/28/13 10:51 AM 05/28/13 10:51 AM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska	I just got one off of CL for $5. I find true TDC then mark the dampener with white paint at 10-15-20-35-38 BTDC & .0632683" is (1) degree. Works fine. I measure that distance on a strip of paper & use it as a ruler around the dampener. But with that being said dial backs are sooo much fun to play with. Way back Jacobs ign did an extensive test on various brands of lights & came to the conclusion that the basic sears craftsman light (non dialback) was a very good one but craftsman quality has declined remarkably down thru the years. If I was to get a good one I'd want a digital dialback with a tach (equus?) live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: Need advise on timing light purchase [Re: Ramrod39] #1443310 05/28/13 10:53 AM 05/28/13 10:53 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,436 Blair County,PA 62maxwgn master
62maxwgn master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,436 Blair County,PA	Quote: Well, my Snap-On dial back timing light has bought the farm. I need to replace it. I don't wrench professional anymore, probably don't need a high end light. What are you guys having good results with? I'll take your old one !!!!!!!! Seriously,take the end apart and make sure the ground wire isn't broken,common with a lot of use !

Re: Need advise on timing light purchase [Re: 62maxwgn] #1443311 05/28/13 01:49 PM 05/28/13 01:49 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 16,376 D dogdays I Live Here
dogdays I Live Here D Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 16,376	Never throw a Snap-On away! R.

Re: Need advise on timing light purchase [Re: Ramrod39] #1443312 05/29/13 01:48 AM 05/29/13 01:48 AM
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 5,399 Aurora, Colorado 451Mopar master
451Mopar master Joined: May 2008 Posts: 5,399 Aurora, Colorado	been using this one the last few years, works great: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/equ-5568/overview/ They make these with a few less features at a slightly lower cost. I had an older chrome dial-back with the dial on the back, but it did not work very good with the MSD.

Re: Need advise on timing light purchase [Re: Ramrod39] #1443313 05/29/13 03:14 AM 05/29/13 03:14 AM
Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 43,233 Bend,OR USA C Cab_Burge I Win
Cab_Burge I Win C Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 43,233 Bend,OR USA	I bought a battery powered Flaming River to use on the race cars and dyno tuning with the MSD 7 race boxes I do have several of the older Craftsmen dial back lights but I hardly use them now, especially on the race MSD boxes do to killing many of them when Sears still honored the lifetime warrenty on all Craftsmen tools Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)

Re: Need advise on timing light purchase [Re: 451Mopar] #1443314 05/29/13 07:04 AM 05/29/13 07:04 AM
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 582 PA B BTTG mopar
BTTG mopar B Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 582 PA	$30 cheaper at amazon http://www.amazon.com/Equus-5568-Pro-Tim...ing+Lights+5568 I have this one and like it a lot.

Re: Need advise on timing light purchase [Re: BTTG] #1443315 05/30/13 01:08 PM 05/30/13 01:08 PM
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana P pjc360 mopar
pjc360 mopar P Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana	I bought an actron digital timing light, got it for 65 bucks and have been pretty pleased with it, altho i do wish the leads were detachable. I also have a dial back kal-equip light that has done well for me but the digital actron and the dial back kal-equip light read different, they are 2 degrees off from each other. I need to get a thrid light and see what it says so i can compare it to my two lights.

Re: Need advise on timing light purchase [Re: pjc360] #1443316 05/30/13 01:20 PM 05/30/13 01:20 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska	Quote: but the digital actron and the dial back kal-equip light read different, they are 2 degrees off from each other. That's disheartening & that's what Jacobs' was saying that a lot of lights ain't accurate. 2 degrees error is way more than I'd be comfortable with live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: Need advise on timing light purchase [Re: Ramrod39] #1443317 05/30/13 01:30 PM 05/30/13 01:30 PM
Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,708 S. Il. U.S.A. 5spdcuda top fuel
5spdcuda top fuel Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,708 S. Il. U.S.A.	I have a Craftsman dial back that I bought several years ago that seems to work fine with my Crane CD ignition.

Re: Need advise on timing light purchase [Re: 5spdcuda] #1443318 05/30/13 01:35 PM 05/30/13 01:35 PM
Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,163 CT GTX MATT master
GTX MATT master Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,163 CT	I bought the standard non-dial back Actron because I thought my Craftsman dial back (or more accurately Dad's Craftsman dial back) was a little bit off. They read exactly the same, but its nice to have two now I guess. Now I need to pin those needles, got to feel that heat Hear my motor screamin while I'm tearin up the street

Re: Need advise on timing light purchase [Re: 5spdcuda] #1443319 05/30/13 01:36 PM 05/30/13 01:36 PM
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana P pjc360 mopar
pjc360 mopar P Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana	Yes, i dont like the 2 degrees difference ether. I just time it with my kal-equip light wich is the light that reads 2 degrees lower then the new actron just to be safe, my friend has a nice light that he said i can use, i just need to cruise over to his place and hook his light up and see if his light matches one of mine.

Re: Need advise on timing light purchase [Re: pjc360] #1443320 05/30/13 01:52 PM 05/30/13 01:52 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska	Quote: Yes, i dont like the 2 degrees difference ether. i just need to cruise over to his place and hook his light up and see if his light matches one of mine. Post what happens live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: Need advise on timing light purchase [Re: Ramrod39] #1443321 05/30/13 01:54 PM 05/30/13 01:54 PM
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 28,312 Cincinnati, Ohio Challenger 1 Too Many Posts
Challenger 1 Too Many Posts Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 28,312 Cincinnati, Ohio	I know you said you don't need a top of the line light. Just so guys know, I have used all these lights plus several others at work. The blue one in my picture is by far the best light on the market. It is used by all the pro teams with MSD ignitions because it is the most accurate period. Mine say's "French Grimes" on it and MSD sells a red one just like it. It cost 157 bucks and there's reason it's cost more. It's not a dial back, most race engines have a decreed crank hub on them. Summit, Jegs sell them. It's the best just so you know. web page

Re: Need advise on timing light purchase [Re: Challenger 1] #1443322 05/30/13 02:11 PM 05/30/13 02:11 PM
Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,163 CT GTX MATT master
GTX MATT master Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,163 CT	Quote: I know you said you don't need a top of the line light. Just so guys know, I have used all these lights plus several others at work. The blue one in my picture is by far the best light on the market. It is used by all the pro teams with MSD ignitions because it is the most accurate period. Mine say "French Grimes" on it and MSD sells a red one just like it. It cost 159 bucks and there's reason it's cost more. It's not a dial back, most race engines have a decreed crank hub on them. Summit, Jegs sell them. It's the best just so you know. web page Why do you say its the best, because of the pro teams using them or something else? I have an MSD setup going in my car and was considering buying MSD's light, but its not cheap. I don't really trust the other lights that claim to work with MSD though, so I'm curious. Now I need to pin those needles, got to feel that heat Hear my motor screamin while I'm tearin up the street

Re: Need advise on timing light purchase [Re: GTX MATT] #1443323 05/30/13 02:21 PM 05/30/13 02:21 PM
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 28,312 Cincinnati, Ohio Challenger 1 Too Many Posts
Challenger 1 Too Many Posts Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 28,312 Cincinnati, Ohio	It has the strongest, crispest, fastest light that is very clear to see even in bright sunlight. And it is not affected by even a 44 amp mag and does not retard at higher RPMs. And because I have used them all like I said and it's way better. The flaming river one is the weakest, by far even with fresh battery's in it.

Re: Need advise on timing light purchase [Re: Challenger 1] #1443324 05/30/13 02:46 PM 05/30/13 02:46 PM
Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,163 CT GTX MATT master
GTX MATT master Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,163 CT	Quote: It has the strongest, crispest, fastest light that is very clear to see even in bright sunlight. And it is not affected by even a 44 amp mag. And because I have used them all like I said and it's way better. The flaming river one is the weakest, by far even with fresh battery's in it. So is the MSD one legitimately the same but a different color and says MSD? Do you remember where you bought they one you've got? Are the pro teams using one identical to yours or are they using the MSD lights, or either or? Now I need to pin those needles, got to feel that heat Hear my motor screamin while I'm tearin up the street

Re: Need advise on timing light purchase [Re: GTX MATT] #1443325 05/30/13 02:50 PM 05/30/13 02:50 PM
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 28,312 Cincinnati, Ohio Challenger 1 Too Many Posts
Challenger 1 Too Many Posts Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 28,312 Cincinnati, Ohio	I bought mine from French Grimes like 20 years ago when I was running his mags. Someone else makes it and MSD sells it, that must tell you something about it. And yes the red one MSD sells is the same as the one I have.

Re: Need advise on timing light purchase [Re: Challenger 1] #1443326 05/30/13 02:51 PM 05/30/13 02:51 PM
Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,163 CT GTX MATT master
GTX MATT master Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,163 CT	Quote: I bought mine from French Grimes like 20 years ago when I was running his mags. Someone else makes it and MSD sells it, that must tell you something about it. And yes the red one MSD sells is the same as the one I have. Cool thanks, I guess I'll drop the coin on it then Now I need to pin those needles, got to feel that heat Hear my motor screamin while I'm tearin up the street

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