For the first time since 2011.............

Posted By: WILD BILL

For the first time since 2011............. - 04/06/15 01:50 AM

It looks like I'm actually gonna get to race again.

I spent yesterday going through everything and today priming the oil system and changing the plugs and de winterizing the car.

It fired off like she was pissed I left her sit so long

But the real reason for this post is to get some input from you guys.

In taking the dist and the oil pump drive gear out to prime it I marked the location and orientation of everything and so I'm pretty confident that the timing is at least pretty darn close to where it should be but still wanted to set it to make sure.

This is where I ran into something I've never experienced before.

While the light strobing from the gun looked normal, it did not show the steady display of the numbers on the balancer like it should. It looked like the balancer was jumping all over the place.

Now, the light in question is a Craftsman Pro dial back light. I know I have used this light without issue before both on my car and my wifes.

The cars ignition system is an MSD 6AL, MSD billet dist (locked adv) and Firecore wires and coil.

I have read all the posts about dial back timing lights not working with MSD ign's but as this is the first time I've ever run into this I need to ask if this sounds like the timing light is the issue or does it sound like something is going on with my ign system?

Posted By: ProSport

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/06/15 01:53 AM

Can you borrow a friends timing gun? Glad you're getting back at it, it's been since September 2010 that I went down a track.

Posted By: Crizila

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/06/15 02:02 AM

Looked inside the distributor lately? Maybe it's a little rusted up?

Posted By: 67mprfan

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/06/15 02:24 AM

Are the dist wires hooked up correctly mine were backwards caused timing light to read incorrectly

Attached picture 8481878-2014classicphoto001.jpg

Attached picture 8481878-2014classicphoto001.jpg

Posted By: WILD BILL

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/06/15 02:25 AM

I had the dist cap off during the procedure and saw no rust or anything else out of the ordinary.

I did have my dad go get his old Sun timing light and it did the same thing.

Posted By: WILD BILL

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/06/15 02:27 AM

Quote:

Are the dist wires hooked up correctly mine were backwards caused timing light to read incorrectly

The plug only fits together one way.

No way to screw it up

Posted By: tboomer

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/06/15 02:45 AM

Good luck to you this year blue boy! How's the new job treatin ya!

Posted By: steve660

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/06/15 02:49 AM

Mine has done that. Timing mark jumps around. Mine was Timing chain stretch.

Posted By: WILD BILL

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/06/15 03:03 AM

I got my car running so I guess it's going pretty good Ted

Hard to believe it would be chain stretch with only a short season of run time.

Posted By: BradH

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/06/15 03:12 AM

What type of damper do you use?

What brand of timing chain set, too?

Posted By: dustergirl340

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/06/15 03:32 AM

With MSD ignitions we up the RPM to over 3,000 before using the timing light. And I'll be expecting a hug at Norwalk this fall!

Posted By: Twostick

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/06/15 03:37 AM

Run the engine up over 3000. IIRC that is where an MSD goes to single strike. It should then firm up the strobe if it's the light objecting to the MSD at idle.

Kevin

Posted By: moparguy7074

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/06/15 03:45 AM

Check to make sure everything is tight in distributor. I had the same problem with mine, and screws in rotor were loose. Not saying that's the problem, but something to check.

Posted By: WILD BILL

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/06/15 03:48 AM

Quote:

What type of damper do you use?

What brand of timing chain set, too?

The damper is a Profesional Products.

I don't recall 100% on the chain but I think it's a Cloyes.

Posted By: WILD BILL

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/06/15 03:55 AM

I'll double check the rotor screws. and try over 3K RPM. Not sure I can get away with that in the neighborhood though. Might have to wait till we're at the track for that.

Kathy, Not sure I'm going to do the Mopar race at Norwalk. Not sure I can get that time off this early in the new job plus I can't seem to wrap my head around justifying what they are charging for weekend vs what it used to be. I know it's a different event and hoster but still........

Posted By: max_maniac

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/06/15 04:35 AM

Bill,

The cost is $150.00 for the weekend and you get 2 FULL race days with 2 FULL payouts! You never got that much with the person that was running it before

Posted By: pittsburghracer

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/06/15 04:49 AM

Heck of a deal Bill for a weekend race like that

Posted By: J_BODY

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/06/15 05:02 AM

always good to hear about another ride coming out of mothballs! hope you are able to beat on that ride this summer!! treat R like ya beat R!

Posted By: RemCharger

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/06/15 09:37 AM

Glad to hear you"re back!

Posted By: super451b

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/06/15 10:15 AM

Welcome Back ! I use the same light without any issues. 2 things that I have seen are
1. The pickup for the timing light is too close to one of the other wires.
2. Timing chain stretch

Posted By: Dodgeguy101

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/06/15 01:06 PM

Quote:

Check to make sure everything is tight in distributor. I had the same problem with mine, and screws in rotor were loose. Not saying that's the problem, but something to check.

I agree, I had the same issue. Also agree to take it over 3000 rpm and check it at total timing.

Posted By: BradH

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/06/15 02:33 PM

Quote:

Quote:

What type of damper do you use?

What brand of timing chain set, too?

The damper is a Profesional Products.

I don't recall 100% on the chain but I think it's a Cloyes.

The outer ring of that damper would be my first suspect.

Posted By: WILD BILL

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/10/15 01:49 AM

Well, I went and borrowed Scott's dyno timing light as I knew it worked with my set up.

I didn't even get a chance to try it as I wanted to double check everything was put back together correctly after I took the drive gear out to prime it.

That when I saw the dist was not lined up and caused me to check the balancer. I can spin the outer ring by hand

I guess that explains the wandering timing

Posted By: BradH

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/10/15 02:46 AM

I'll PM you the address where you can send my consulting & diagnostic fee.

Posted By: WILD BILL

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/10/15 02:49 AM

Originally Posted By BradH

I'll PM you the address where you can send my consulting & diagnostic fee.

I'll be sure to mail it off the next time I mail my membership fees for the board

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/10/15 07:51 AM

Glad you found your problem Bill... bummer you have to
buy a new balancer.. but at least it wont come flying
off going down the track and maybe go flying through
the hood

Posted By: shorthorse

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/10/15 03:08 PM

It's good to see you back Bill. Yep, a lot has changed and all the talk of new Mopar series meets has not materialized. There is no Mopar points series anymore, at least one that is local enough for us to attend regularly. The best part is that there are still some Mopar events and you'll still find the same good friends there. See you at the races!

Posted By: sunroofgtx

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/11/15 03:49 AM

Billy, great to see you on here. Congrats on making the decision to get backout. Great luck, see you soon. Thanks for all of your help when getting my truck worked on.

Posted By: WILD BILL

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/11/15 04:27 AM

Thanks guys.

Rick, in case you were not aware, I don't work there anymore.

Posted By: WILD BILL

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/12/15 02:06 AM

Got it sorted out today. Put an ATI on it and the timing is rock solid even with my trusty old CM dial back light.

Now I just need to put the new belts in, wash it and the 2 Jrs. and get em loaded up.

Posted By: Wv68charger

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/12/15 02:56 AM

Glad your back buddy hope to cross paths with ya this year at some point👍🏻

Posted By: mopar65

Re: For the first time since 2011............. - 04/13/15 12:47 AM

Good luck Bill, you are doing better than me.