Thread: What's a good brand of timing light???

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.....what's a good brand of timing light to buy??? It's a small block Chev with MSD ignition {if that matters}.....
THANKS Everyone, Bill

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...47669_-1_10787
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...47799_-1_10787
I have the Advanced Timing light, the $62 one. its part number 885-CP7519 on jegs, and it works great.

....Thanks Facemelter although I need to get one tomorrow so I can't really wait for Jeg's delivery.... Bill

I've got a Snap-on with the advance dial, about the only one I've found that will work correctly with the MSD boxes.

yeah, snap on's are about the most accurate your gonna get. but I'd guess a MSD timing light would work with the MSD box, I'd shure hope anyway. at school we have a Snap On digital Advance timing light, works great

....Thanks Dave & Matt, Think I'll get a snap on. yeah didn't even THINK of the MSD one! That also makes sence! Bill

Most cheapie lights go nuts when they are hooked up to a car with an MSD system. My light cost me a tad over $400.00, but it works great and the digital advance part of it is excellent for setting timing and checking advance mechanisms. Expensive, but I'd sure hate to be without it!!!!

Originally Posted by DennyW

Run down to Sears, and get the light that has the line beam. It's a few dollars more than their regular one. But, you can see the flash in daylight.

Do you have a part number for this light?

....WOW, a little over $400! Thanks for posting the price Dave! And here I said I was going to run out tomorrow & get one! This is a 'payday' kind of tool as in the tool I get on pay day.... Plan 'B' is to check out the Sears light that Denny is talking about & by the way, Thank you Denny .... OR plan 'C' is to just have the local auto shop do it for me. I have an MSD retard/advance knob on my dash. What happened is the knob spun on the shaft that comes out of the unit. And in doing so the shaft also turned. So in order to set the timming I would think all that needs to be done is hook the light up & turn the shaft till the timming is correct??? Then tighten the set screw that holds the knob on??? Thanks again, Bill

Whatever you get, make sure it is compatible with the MSD box, lots of the lights on the market won't work with multiple spark discharge units!!!! Some get fried, some just won't work. The MSD light is obviously made to work with it....

Thanks Dave, Thanks Denny, I believe what started the problem was my MSD spark advance/retard switch messing up. The reason I noticed something was wrong is my car keeps running when I try to shut it off. So I've been leaving it in gear to get it to stop. This helps a little. This just started happening so I suspect it's the MSD switch.... The guy who Dyno tuned my engine set the timming and it ran fine. Redneck then wired the car up & it ran fine. But all of sudden it just won't shut off.... So I've never tried to time it.... In fact after I bought the light my next question was; HOW do I use it???
Not sure what wires are on it.... I think tomorrow I go have a mechanic time it & then put some glue on the MSD switch so it won't move & see if that does it..... If it doesn't I try to check the wiring out as you suggested Denny.... Thanks again, Bill

What do you guys think about these??? Can I check the advance with these also? I want a good light that will last and be accurate and do pretty much all systems.
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

Anybody seen the LED style timing lite that replaces the timing pointer?? Saw them at "back to the 50's" but missed their flyer. Maybe Locar.

....just to up-date, My problem was that my MSD timing retard switch was broken. So I just disconnected it & all is well. The timing light I got was the MSD #8990. I had a garage check my timing but as soon as I put my timing tape on the balancer I'll check it, Bill