timing light

[jls]

has any one had any luck cobbling together a timing light from stuff around the shop? Iam in possesion of a vehicle that actually has points, rotor etc. and needs to be timed! the local auto parts shop wants 75.00 for a plain jane light. any help would be appreciated. my wife and wallet thank you!

[squirrellluck]

No longer own a timing light but timed several truck engines by ear when I was younger. Was very common years ago to see me with the hood up tweeking the timing after driving it some until I had it just like I wanted it. Scientific? No but at one time I had some of the best running v8 around.

[mirage1988]

I used to time them by ear too- warm the motor up good, loosen the distributor hold-down bolt to where you can just turn it by hand. Advance the distributor until it just starts to ping at idle, the turn it back about an inch, put the vehicle in drive, step down hard on the brake, get the rpms as high as you can, if it pings, retard the timing, if it doesn't then advance it a bit until it pings, then back it off a bit. Take it out and drive it, if it pings, retard it a bit. This is actually the best way to time an engine, the factory timing marks are only a starting point.

[torpedoman]

use a vacuum gague, put it in an unported line to the manifold and dial timing until you get max vacuum reading and back it off for a 1 in vacuum drop. more accurate than a light because it compensates for timing gear and chain wear.

[mechanic]

use a vacuum gague, put it in an unported line to the manifold and dial timing until you get max vacuum reading and back it off for a 1 in vacuum drop. more accurate than a light because it compensates for timing gear and chain wear.

Ditto...mechanic for 40 years....use this method for best performance. 

[jls]

thanx fellas! Ive got a vaccum gauge on hand and a unused port on the manifold. appreciate the help!

[boondocker]

use a vacuum gague, put it in an unported line to the manifold and dial timing until you get max vacuum reading and back it off for a 1 in vacuum drop. more accurate than a light because it compensates for timing gear and chain wear.

I agree this is the most accurate, just a side note make sure idle speed is right and warmed up. If you have a vacuum mechanical advance I plug it during timing.

[hillbill]

everything i ever timed with a light i always ended retimeing by ear to elimanate either pinging or starting hard when hot.id go with the vacum method.

[Rex in OTZ]

You should stillbe able to find one in a sale somewhere
Its interesting most new vehicles have computers slaved off the flywheel that govern the individual ignition coils for each cylinder, Ive a mercury service manual (210/240 inboard) that outlines the V-6 CDM ignition system simular to the one used in most modern vehicles which is alternator driven distributer-less capacitor discharge system all the parts compose of the flywheel, stator assy, triggerassy, controlmodule, 6 CDM assemblies and six sparkplugs for six cylinder models),the control module provides rev-limit (carb models), bias control, shift stabilizer, idlestabilizer,injectortiming signel(EFI models) and low oil warning.
The control module cuts out spark to individual sparkplusg to govern engine RPM.

In general aviation reciprocating engines (av-gas) still use two magneto's, timed to the engine through the accessory section, consisting of a impulse coupling, rotating magnet, points, coil, condencer. they use a old fashoned battery powerd induction buzzbox to set the points E-gap and to time the mag to the engine.

In the aviation maintenance basic engine hand book it is outlined how to construct a magneto timing light.
these publications are availabel through avaiation supply stores check in the Trade-A-Plane news paper.

[tallyho]

I just happen to have a recent Trade-A-Plane that went in the recycling today. Anybody wants it, PM me...

Cheers
Kerry