Timing light upgrade recommendations?
#2652870
05/07/19 08:57 AM
05/07/19 08:57 AM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,149 NW New Jersey
RSI700VIPER
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,149
NW New Jersey
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My old craftsman timing light finally crapped out. What is everyone using these days? I understand there are timing lights where you can measure the timing by turning a dial on the unit.
Last edited by RSI700VIPER; 05/07/19 08:57 AM.
1970 Superbird 440 Six BBL, 4-Speed, Dana, FJ5 1969 Daytona Charger 440 4-Speed, Dana, EV2 1971 340 Challenger Conv. Flemington Speedway Pace Car, FC7 1970 340 Six Pack Callenger T/A 4-speed T8 Tan 1971 340 Challenger RT Formal Roof, EV2 w/ V2 Stripe & Orange Houndstooth 1969 Talladega Torino, 428CJ 1969 Gurney Special Cyclone Spoiler II, 351 Cleveland
"Id rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy" Ben Franklin 1755
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Re: Timing light upgrade recommendations?
[Re: gzig5]
#2652926
05/07/19 11:12 AM
05/07/19 11:12 AM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 403 Colorado front range
BcudaChris
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 403
Colorado front range
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I have not had good luck with the Inova units. They are of quality construction as far as the case, leads, etc., but of the three I had over a three year period, only one failed while it was still under warranty. The warranty replacement, after a year and about three uses, just started going flaky during use, intermittently flashing, tach being way off, voltmeter being wrong, completely going off while connected, etc. (I'd guess that was due to sloppy soldering on the circuit board). I tried swapping lead sets to no avail. The next one I bought blew the strobe after about three uses and sitting for over a year between uses. They were all the pro units.
That said, the strobe was nice and bright, the features and interface are useful and handy, and the detachable leads ability to change the angle of the strobe and case are also nice. I explored replacing the strobe with their tech support, and the bulb was $60 plus shipping.
I'm currently using the Bosch one they sell at O'Reilly's. Not as feature packed and is definitely of chintzier construction than the Inova, but over a year now and no fails. Also, O'Reilly's will swap it out easily enough in the event of a fail. Leads are hardwired in, no case and the display is an LED panel instead of LCD.
Dial-back feature is almost a must with my aging eyes, even though my damper is laser etched up to 60*.
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Re: Timing light upgrade recommendations?
[Re: BcudaChris]
#2652957
05/07/19 12:27 PM
05/07/19 12:27 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
Circle Track
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Circle Track
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
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My take, dialbacks ain't 100% accurate cuz there are different dia (circumference) balancers out there plus the additional error potential from the delay feature (might all be miniscle/not enough to sweat) but they are so much fun to play with! For dead on I prefer to get a timing tape (install & spray it with clear paint to keep it from flying off) or mark the dampener & you only need 4 or 5 numbers such as 15/20/25/30 & your preferred total for your engine type. 0.0632683" is (1) degree. I would get a light with the RPM feature in the dial. Wouldn't hurt to check numbers with a non dialback & to confirm true TDC
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: Timing light upgrade recommendations?
[Re: gtx6970]
#2652969
05/07/19 12:48 PM
05/07/19 12:48 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 637 SoMd, USA
135sohc
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 637
SoMd, USA
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Still using my old snap on dial light. Its at least 25 years old And it was probably made here.. Not so much for the new stuff. I still use the same ancient craftsman unit my dad bought new in 198? old enough the entire housing is chromed aluminum and the leads are nice flexible rubber.
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Re: Timing light upgrade recommendations?
[Re: 135sohc]
#2652973
05/07/19 12:53 PM
05/07/19 12:53 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
Circle Track
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Circle Track
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
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One of the ign companies way back (MSD?) did a comprehensive study on accuracy & they said the old Craftsman was the best (not sure if this was dialback or not but I am thinking no).
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: Timing light upgrade recommendations?
[Re: 135sohc]
#2652984
05/07/19 01:35 PM
05/07/19 01:35 PM
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,723 Florida
BDW
master
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master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,723
Florida
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Still using my old snap on dial light. Its at least 25 years old And it was probably made here.. Not so much for the new stuff. I still use the same ancient craftsman unit my dad bought new in 198? old enough the entire housing is chromed aluminum and the leads are nice flexible rubber. Same here, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it..........
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Re: Timing light upgrade recommendations?
[Re: RapidRobert]
#2655120
05/13/19 07:53 PM
05/13/19 07:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,789 Hamilton, Ontario Canada
Magnum
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,789
Hamilton, Ontario Canada
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Dial back lights do not care what the balance diameter is.
If there is a zero, it will light it up.
Next mention is a dial back is the only way to fully set the initial, total and full advance as long as zero is marked.
69 Super Bee, 93 Mustang LX, 04 Allure Super
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Re: Timing light upgrade recommendations?
[Re: Magnum]
#2655131
05/13/19 08:13 PM
05/13/19 08:13 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 855 ontario canada kingston
aspenrt360
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 855
ontario canada kingston
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I have an OTC dialback that i paid a fair bit for many years ago it works just fine.
2013 Chrysler 300 touring 1974 Dodge Charger SE. 360-727-8.75-3.23 sure grip 1972 Dodge Dart Swinger 1995 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4
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Re: Timing light upgrade recommendations?
[Re: aspenrt360]
#2655137
05/13/19 08:28 PM
05/13/19 08:28 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 531 Charlotte, NC
Kowal
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 531
Charlotte, NC
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I have an OTC dialback that i paid a fair bit for many years ago it works just fine. Same, been using an OTC light for years, works great. Burnt the cables once on the exhaust, they sold me a replacement very quickly.
'69 Hemi Charger 500, ‘70 U code Challenger R/T (These and a bunch others at www.dkowal426.com) P.J. O'Rouke: "The old car ran perfectly, right up until it didn't."
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