Which timing light to buy.

Posted By: flatiron

Which timing light to buy. - 09/07/09 01:30 PM

I need to place a order to summit and was thinking of also getting a timing light since I don't own one. I see alot of choices and alot of price differences. Some are self powered. What would serve me well as a good allaround light?

Posted By: WILD BILL

Re: Which timing light to buy. - 09/07/09 01:45 PM

I have a craftsman W/ adj advance. Then I noticed when you do a compare on Summit's website that some are "Not compatible with multi-spark ignition." Now I'm wondering what the deal is and if mine is doing me any good.

Posted By: 5spdcuda

Re: Which timing light to buy. - 09/07/09 01:59 PM

I have both an Actron standard timing light and a Craftsman dial back. The Craftsman is dead on when compared either to the Actron or to the timing marks on the degreed damper. If I had only one I would go with the Craftsman dial back since you don't need a degreed damper to set total advance. It is worth noting that not all dial backs are as accurate as the Craftsman. Several years ago one of the car mags did a comparison test and the Craftsman was the best.

Posted By: 5spdcuda

Re: Which timing light to buy. - 09/07/09 02:03 PM

Just a short follow up to my earlier reply. I use a Crane multi spark CD ignition and both lights work fine with it.

Posted By: flatiron

Re: Which timing light to buy. - 09/07/09 02:31 PM

I noticed while reading that some are not compataible with multi spark systems and if you read info on a MSD system (which I plan on doing over the winter) They call for a self powered light. I was looking at a Summit Sum-G1059 but I don't belive this will work with a MSD system on down the road.
Will it?

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: Which timing light to buy. - 09/07/09 03:15 PM

I picked up a Flaming River single cable unit from
Summit.... best light I have for MSD ignitions

Posted By: jcastle1

Re: Which timing light to buy. - 09/07/09 03:44 PM

I have an extra Equus pro digital advance light that works great.Let me know if your interested.
John

Posted By: Challenger 1

Re: Which timing light to buy. - 09/07/09 03:55 PM

With a MSD ign the blue one on the left is most accurate and bright. The Flaming River is a very good light and simple to use on MSD systems. Reg ign systems I have had good luck with Craftsman lights. I had timing tape on one of my cars but it came off while ago so I picked this dial back Craftsman which works well on my Mopars with reg ign.

For a reg light, the Flaming River unit is hard to beat. IMO

Posted By: flatiron

Re: Which timing light to buy. - 09/07/09 04:35 PM

Quote:

I picked up a Flaming River single cable unit from
Summit.... best light I have for MSD ignitions

The self powered one Summit#
FR1001?

Posted By: justinp61

Re: Which timing light to buy. - 09/07/09 05:20 PM

I use my Dads old standard Craftsman, we bought it for him probably 35 years ago.

Posted By: 408strokerdart

Re: Which timing light to buy. - 09/07/09 06:57 PM

I had a self powered Faming River....lasted for about 4 uses over 2 years and now fails to function at all. Bought an Actron (same as the MSD timing light) self powered off the bag for $75. It works with my MSD just fine.

Posted By: Crizila

Re: Which timing light to buy. - 09/07/09 07:33 PM

I've used a dial-back Snap-on unit for many years. Nice bright strobe that works well in sun light.

Posted By: Runner

Re: Which timing light to buy. - 09/07/09 07:37 PM

ive used the snot out of my flaming river timing light.

i bought a equUis 3555 dial back light and it is easily the biggest piece of crap ive ever used. it is easily 15 degrees off and thats when its not bouncing all over the place. made me really chase a detenation problem i had with my daughters car. went back to the flaming river light and bought some timing tape and the problem was gone.

Posted By: GTX MATT

Re: Which timing light to buy. - 09/08/09 03:53 PM

I have an Actron standard one and my dad has an old Craftsman with dialback. The Craftsman is probably 25 years old, and the dialback funtion is now HIGHLY inaccurate. Its about 7 degrees off, give or take.

Posted By: Bob_Coomer

Re: Which timing light to buy. - 09/08/09 04:09 PM

I have had good luck out of a Acutron dial back timing light. I have checked it against the higher dollar Snap-On, and other brand timing lights...It has always been accurate.

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: Which timing light to buy. - 09/08/09 04:12 PM

Quote:

ive used the snot out of my flaming river timing light.

i bought a equUis 3555 dial back light and it is easily the biggest piece of crap ive ever used. it is easily 15 degrees off and thats when its not bouncing all over the place. made me really chase a detenation problem i had with my daughters car. went back to the flaming river light and bought some timing tape and the problem was gone.

Same here... I love using the Flaming River unit,
I bought one of those Equis units.... tried to use
it and found out it was useless... it sits on a shelf
somewhere

Posted By: Thumperdart

Re: Which timing light to buy. - 09/08/09 04:57 PM

I`ve been using a Sunpro for years and compared it to a high dollar model that Jason Pettis uses in his dyno room and it was 1 deg. off. Since it`s my tuning aid my #`s are all that matters and I don`t loan it to anyone ever.....just like my tire guage.

Posted By: 68gtxsurvivor

Re: Which timing light to buy. - 09/08/09 05:00 PM

So what would be correct for msd system? Non adj timing light?

Posted By: aarcuda

Re: Which timing light to buy. - 09/08/09 05:03 PM

Quote:

So what would be correct for msd system? Non adj timing light?

that would work. or an adjustable light set at 0.

btw, how are you people verifying the accuracy of your lights? just comparing it to another light?

just remember- a man with two watches never knows what time it really is (unless one of them is the atomic clock run by the govt)

Posted By: Thumperdart

Re: Which timing light to buy. - 09/09/09 05:08 AM

I compared mine to one of the baddest builders around here knowing his was fairly accurate and adjusted my motor from there and looked at my timeslips to determine my best timing. Doesn`t matter if it`s 20 degs. or 40 as long as my car performs and doesnt get hurt and 8+ years later, it`s still going strong. And like an old wise man once told me(thankxx Cab),they are my numbers for my car and don`t loan em out.........

Posted By: BloFish

Re: Which timing light to buy. - 09/09/09 03:11 PM

Quote:

I picked up a Flaming River single cable unit from
Summit.... best light I have for MSD ignitions

That's I have too.