Timing Light

[seabeelt]

Well the old timing light died, or at least the bulb is burned out and I cannot seem to find a replacement. Can anyone recommend a good timing light?

[TimpanogosSlim]

I like my Innova 3568

[seabeelt]

Thanks, I think I will order one
r/

[KevAndAndi]

The Innova comes in three flavors: digital ($76 on Amazon), advance ($59), and inductive ($30). Can someone explain the differences, and what the extra bucks get you?

[baltobernie]

Even a basic timing light will be able to set initial ignition timing, and if you have an assistant to slowly advance the throttle, you can see the light "move" relative to the pointer. Thus you can determine if the mechanical advance is at least working and working smoothly.

But a timing light that can quantify the degrees of advance vs. RPM is useful for these cars. Older lights have simply a dial on the back of the gun. At a given RPM, you turn the dial until the strobe illuminates the pointer at the same position as when the engine is at idle. You then look at the position of the dial to read the number of degrees the mechanical distributor mechanism has advanced the spark. You can plot degrees vs. various RPMs to determine the advance curve throughout the engine's operating range. Similarly, you can check the vacuum advance, if so equipped on your car. The newer timing lights have cursors and buttons to achieve what the dial (so simply) does.

There are several YouTube videos on the subject. Unfortunately, like most YouTube videos, they're long on chatter and short on info. But you'll eventually get the idea.

[RRoller123]

Can you use the ones that adjust for RPM on a DIS Ignition system