This is especially prevalent on engines with a chrome or stock timing chain cover that is actually bowing forward allowing the cam to "walk". On Chevrolet engines, if the timing is retarding 10 - 20 degrees inspect for cam-walk. The correct polarity is whichever connection gives the most retarded timing. Reverse the connectors and check the timing again. It is best to route it along a ground plain such as the firewall, frame or engine block to form a shield around it.Ĭheck the polarity of the magnetic pickup wires of the distributor. Dial type timing advance (0- 60 score) Heat resistant metal inductive pick-up One handed operation. It should be routed clear of the coil primary wires and plug wires. SP Tools Adjustable advance Timing Light 62040. Inspect the routing of the Magnetic Pickup Harness. Make sure you are not using Solid Core wires. Try another non-adjustable light and check the timing again. Dial back timing lights are not recommended. The timing light features an LED indicator light to insure proper hookup as well as a rubber nose to protect the unit from damage. What kind of timing light are you using? Many lights have trouble reading the MSD's capacitive discharge multiple sparks. If your timing seems to be jumping all over the place, check the following items: I guess I know what light to get now Thanks. If you are installing a new/rebuilt distributor, the tolerance of the internals may cause the timing to be off more.Jeff Thanks here is the tech tip from MSD on lights. That said I have no idea if it is right but I know where it likes (34 locked) it so I dont care. If you are meticulous about realigning the distributor, you probably will not be far off on a removal and reinstall. epfatboy said: My antique craftsman timing light ( didnt have dial back when I bought it and I walked uphill to school there and back) is ridiculously consistent with my MSD. If you want to use the TDC mark, dial in 15 degrees and line up with that reference. If not adjust the distributor base until it is. If the timing is correct the pointer will line up with the white mark. With the engine running at the appropriate RPM, squeeze the trigger and point the strobe light at the timing pointer. I usually put ‘white out’ on the target mark for better visibility, i.e. The timing marks are usually on the crankshaft damper with a pointer on the timing belt covers. There may be an arrow on the inductive clamp to show which way it should point.Ĭonsult your maintenence manual as to where the timing marks are and if you need to set the ECM into base timing mode. The timing light is hooked up black lead to the negative battery terminal, red lead to the battery positive terminal, and inductive clamp over the #1 spark plug wire. The most common form of timing lights powered by a simple pair of clamps hooked to a 12-volt battery source. To use this dial-back light, press the advance (up arrow) or retard (down arrow) buttons until the TDC mark lines up with the zero mark on the engines timing tab. Now, with a dial-back light, and the engine at 3000rpm, turn the dial clockwise and you'll see the timing mark on the balancer 'retard' and move closer and closer to the 0-degree mark on the timing tab. These lights use batteries in the body of the light that amplifies the signal from the inductive pickup on the plug wire. What different types of marks would I be looking for - not just a pointer - correct?ĭoes the pointer align with a specific other mark? The simplest timing lights are self-powered. Mine is supposed to be 15degrees +/- 2degrees BTDC (Red)ĭo you know what the variation in degrees is when the distributor is turned all the way to one side then all the way to the other? - What is the range?Ĭan you still get it out of time when you take the distributor off and put it so that it is in the same place (not slid slightly right or left in the adjustment slots - as before you took it off? That doesn’t sound right either if I am supposed to look for different marks and/or how they appear to align depending on how the distributor is turned. Then they said to turn the dial until the strobe stays lit and that is the degrees on the timing. Isn’t the pickup supposed to go around the number 1 spark plug wire? (Is it supposed to or is it not calibrated properly?) (It is a CarQuest Inductive Advance CPE 30385 model.) One person told me to hook the black cable with alligator clip to the neg battery terminal, the red to battery positive and the inductive pickup around the battery cable. I am borrowing a timing light and it has a dial with degrees on it.
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