Dumb Question...

[Scooterz]

Ok, my timing light died finnaly. So, on my built BBC, when i increase the timing, I do this by manually moving the dist...I have a HEI into a 6AL. My timing marker I have on the harmonic dampener only goes to 16 degrees... so after that, it's all manual with alot of testing to find the sweet spot. I think it likes about 30 degrees... but not sure exactly. I always make sure I have no pings, or starter bind, etc... but get response.

My questions: I did not build the engine, do not have cam spec's. I want to know before I replace the timing light, how do you check timing when you have no timing marker that goes that high, or can you use a timing light or some timing device that will show how many degrees you are at?? I want to know exactly where I am at... The motor is BBC w/ high lift duration solid Lunatti, manual HEI w/ no vac advance, MSD/6AL.

[lively]

NOW YOUR SCARING US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JUST SIT TIGHT AND MEDITATE AND THE ANSWER WILL COME ON HERE!!!

JUST THINK SLOWLY/ SLOWLY/ SLLLOOOOOOO-------------------------------



LIVELY :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops:

[zipper06]

Yep easy fix, simply replace your burned up timing light with an advance timing light, set the dial to what you want for your total advance, bring the rpm's to about 3,000, rotate the distributor until it reads "0" on the harmonic balancer. YOU'RE DONE.
See the pic below for an advance timing light, lots of manufacturers make these and they can be had for as little as $60.00.

Zip.

http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/4/7/29/t_advancetimim_c97da1b.jpg (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/4/7/29/f_advancetimim_c97da1b.jpg&srv=img26)

[CHEVYMATT]

i would either run out to autozone and pick up a stick on balancer degree tape your your size balancer or . take the diameter of your balancer and multiply it by 3.14.
for example a 8 inch balancer would be 3.14 x 8 (8 being the diameter) that will give you the overall measurement of the outside of the balancer
25.12 then divide by 360 degree = .069778. that number is how many inches is between each degree . now times it by 30 (30 is your timing degrees you like to run) so 30 degree's of timing will be 2.09334 inches from your zero mark on your balancer.
im someone will tell you an easier way.
goodluck

3.14x8=25.12/360=.069778x30=2.09334

[Scooterz]

I expected to catch a fair amount of crap on the one LIVLEY... hense the title "dumb question" anyways, I have always used a basic timing light & done a manual advance in small increments, until I ..... wait a minute, I am doing it again... i will just shut up at this point. ZIP- this is good, see you got to make a difference today.... for this, I am greatful. I was always taught to ask the question no matter what anyone thinks. Until reciently, I was doing this the hard way... really hard way. Livley- I have no time to "meditate"... come on, cut me some slack. Next thing you will be telling to get into a YOGA class??

[lively]

YOGA!!!!--THAT IS AN IDEA??/

WHEN I TURN 70 YEARS OLD -MAYBE!!!!LOL LOL

LIVELY

[Scooterz]

Thanks for all of the help everyone. I am going to invest in better timing equipment!! Livley, you are awnry. Somehow, I don't thin either one of us could do yoga... something about the SPANDEX pants & FLAMING LIBERALS chanting non-sence makes me think we would be better off jumping off an airplane with no parachoote.

[suicidebomb]

Let me start off by sayin I don't want to start no trouble. My Yoga instructor is a moderate republican. No chanting, or spandex pants! I have jumped from an airplane with no parachute, it was parked on the tarmack! The Yoga will help you get your mind right on the line. Very relaxing.

[Tod74]

MSD says not to use a dial back light with their ignition....don't know why though.

[hammertime]

MSD says not to use a dial back light with their ignition....don't know why though.


Because they wont read correct is the answer I got, I know some who dont have issues but I know others who had issues for weeks before trying another light.

I personally have 2 lights, 1 Craftsman, and 1 flaming river without the power leads it uses 2 batteries that one makes it easy.

[zipper06]

I haven't seen issues with the advance timing light with the 6al's and 7al2's, if you're running a low side chip in the 2 step you may have to remove it, if it's close to the 3,000 rpm range.I do think there could be issues with the new digital boxes. I have never used the newer boxes so i have no experience in that area.
David brings up a good point with the battery powered timing light, you wouldn't have feed back to the electrical system with those. Most of the racing balancers are marked 360 degrees so a conventional light works fine in most cases.

Doen't MSD, sell an advance timing light, don't know just asking?

JMO

Zip.

[Scooterz]

I think the Craftsman was going to be the first I was going to look at... but based on the feed back here I may look at many. The dail back sounds nice, I have to admit.

Suicide: No point intended between livley & I... it's all fun... I know abosolutley nothing about yoga. I will say I have jumped out of an airplane w/ a choote & it was the biggest rush ever.... (adrenalin junkie) anyways, I could probably calm down some from Yoga... (I not wearing those pants though). Ha ha

[lively]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[suicidebomb]

I think the Craftsman was going to be the first I was going to look at... but based on the feed back here I may look at many. The dail back sounds nice, I have to admit.

Suicide: No point intended between livley & I... it's all fun... I know abosolutley nothing about yoga. I will say I have jumped out of an airplane w/ a choote & it was the biggest rush ever.... (adrenalin junkie) anyways, I could probably calm down some from Yoga... (I not wearing those pants though). Ha ha
Hey Man, no problem... I was just hackin on ya, sure it's fun. BTW I aint wearin them pants either. I've made a few static line jumps myself, you're right about the adrenalin rush... there is something just wrong, jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. :lol:

[Scooterz]

Suicide: Cool!! I must do it again... only been once. That last few seconds standing on nothing less than a landging gear wheel looking down... 10,000ft up, then I was promtly shoved out!! I had to go tandem... I pulled that rip cord out & lost it in the air... (cost me 25.00 more) Whatta RUSH!!! Anyways, Yoga does not compair... LOL! It was like doing my first 4-wheel uncontrolled drift on the h-iway in the dark while it was raining... but even more fun.

[cepx111]

I've heard those battery powered timing lights can and will shock the piss outta ya, like a plug wire shock. I was thinking of getting one for myself but I'm not so sure now, any truth to this?

And yeah I've never figured out why people want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane>
Cp

[hammertime]

I've heard those battery powered timing lights can and will shock the piss outta ya, like a plug wire shock. I was thinking of getting one for myself but I'm not so sure now, any truth to this?

And yeah I've never figured out why people want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane>
Cp

I've used a few different ones and love them. never heard of anyone having issues with them.

[suicidebomb]

Charles, I've used them quite a bit, never had one shock me. I aint sayin it can't happen though, a good shock from a magneto, or a powerful ign. can go a long ways toward gettin your mind right too! Better'n Yoga! :shock:

[Scooterz]

I 2nd that shocking revelation!! I personally enjoy a good zap from your basic 110 household inlet too... but there is nothing like getting the piss shocked out of me for doing a manual adjustment on a dist while at 1200RPM... hince the whole discussion that ultimatelystarted this thread. A modern timing light & good connections/quality wires (I bought the Taylors this time) should make things a little better. I never claimed that I was most knowledgable about race motors when I cam on here, but you guys are helping me a bunch!!