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Timing Light Recommendation

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by Bowbender, Oct 19, 2018.

  1. Oct 19, 2018
    Bowbender

    Bowbender I'm workin' on it!

    Northern Minn.
    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2014
    Messages:
    561
    I need to get a timing light and am looking for advise. I don't mind spending money on a good tool, but I'm not sure what I should be looking for. Some help would be much appreciated.
     
  2. Oct 19, 2018
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    Aug 18, 2014
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    Get an old Sears or Penske from a yard sale. (y)
     
  3. Oct 19, 2018
    Bowbender

    Bowbender I'm workin' on it!

    Northern Minn.
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    Nov 14, 2014
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    I've seen a few on fleabay.
     
  4. Oct 19, 2018
    Dave Deyton

    Dave Deyton Member

    Fuquay-Varina, NC
    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2003
    Messages:
    847
    I love my old Penske timing light, vacuum guage, and dwell meter.
    Got an adapter for the 24V on the M38A1 but I haven't tried it yet.

    Dave
     
    Bowbender likes this.
  5. Oct 19, 2018
    heavychevy

    heavychevy Sponsor

    Danielsville georgia
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    Sep 7, 2008
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    181
    X2 on the sears, penske light
     
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  6. Oct 19, 2018
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    Jun 5, 2007
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    3,559
    This is another "you get what you pay for".
    I bought a Harbor Freight timing light a few weeks back - it worked for about 5 minutes.
    Got another at NAPA that seems good.

    Lots of places you used to find them (including some auto parts stores) don't even carry them anymore.
     
    Bowbender likes this.
  7. Oct 20, 2018
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

    exploring the...
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    Feb 21, 2009
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    3,869
    as with all electric tools from there, if it makes it five minutes it will probably last five years...
     
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  8. Oct 20, 2018
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Aug 3, 2003
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    Interesting. Is the adaptor for the voltage, or the shielded HT wires? Where did you find it?

    I just run the timing light off an independent 12volt source. For the induction sensor, I remove one end of a waterproof plug wire and insert a short section of conventional wire.
     
  9. Oct 20, 2018
    Dave Deyton

    Dave Deyton Member

    Fuquay-Varina, NC
    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2003
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    847
    Iv'e gsot to read the instructions. As I understand it since the plug wires are shielded to be waterproof, you screw the adaptor on to #1 sparkplug and clip the lead on to it. It has in the kit a spark plug adapter and a wire for the dwell meter. I got it from a member of the local Military Vehicle Club.
    He was having a yard sale and offered things to members first. They are military surplus, he such good prices, I bought a lot of things.

    I will have to read the instructions, the engine is torn down, so I haven't tried to use it yet. I will take some pics today.

    Dave
     
  10. Oct 20, 2018
    baldjosh

    baldjosh Member

    pacific north west
    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2017
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    451
    X2 , or a thrift shop, etc...if it works it works, no need to spend a bunch of money
     
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  11. Oct 20, 2018
    Dave Deyton

    Dave Deyton Member

    Fuquay-Varina, NC
    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2003
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    847
    Okay, here is the kit:
    24V electrical Test Kit (2).JPG

    Looks like it will be very usefull.

    Dave
     
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  12. Oct 20, 2018
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    wow. great score!
     
  13. Oct 23, 2018
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    Aug 13, 2015
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    6,656
    Speak of the devil. I was at a thrift store yesterday and spotted these...

    [​IMG]
     
  14. Oct 23, 2018
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
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    May 25, 2006
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    2,871
    I have a couple of sunpro lights that work really well as long as you keep the wires out of the fan.
     
  15. Oct 24, 2018
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    :rofl::rofl::rofl:

    Yup. There is a reason a lot of those lights had rubber armor on the nose....
     
  16. Oct 26, 2018
    matt johnson

    matt johnson Caretaker of family Jeeps

    chesapeake, va
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    Sep 3, 2003
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    Did you obtain one yet?
     
  17. Nov 3, 2018
    Bowbender

    Bowbender I'm workin' on it!

    Northern Minn.
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    Nov 14, 2014
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    561
    I did, an old Penske.
     
  18. Nov 3, 2018
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    (y)
     
  19. Nov 8, 2018
    chrisg

    chrisg My Flatty

    94555
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    nice... I had two, and tossed em after cleaning out the shed last year. Just got my jeep in Oct and needed a new one, along with a dwell meter, kept it, but it was broken. Bought a new type timing light from NAPA for around 50 bucks... shoulda kept one of them, but that's my luck:banghead:
     
  20. Dec 15, 2018
    wasillashack

    wasillashack Member

    Wasilla, Alaska
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2008
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    268
    The one I use most is a cheap old style inductive light, plastic body, may be a Sun, the neighbors' kid ran it thru a fan on a running engine, cut the wires in several pieces, so I soldered and heat shrunk? it back together, still works. My back up is a Snap On made about the time electricity was discovered, the type that plugs in between the plug wire and the plug.
     
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