Good Advance Timing Light

[71383bee]

I am putting together a Xmas wish list and I was wondering who manufactures a good Dial Advance Timing Light. Are the big chrome jobbers from the parts hut any good or are the digital lights as accurate as their prices proclaim.

I already have a standard induction timing light, but a Dial Advance light would be really nice to have.

[451Mopar]

I have one of the cheap ones from Summit racing, it has the adjustable dial on the back, and I think it costs about $69?
I'm not sure how accurate it is, as the dial is not the most accurate to set.
The digital (more expensive) timming lights may be more accurate (or at least more accurate to set?)

[mtrv8n]

How accurate do you need it? My ugly chrome back $69 one shows steady to about 1/2 degree. Its a great convenience, but on older motors you should check that the timing mark has not slipped on the balancer, in other words, that the mark is where its supposed to be.

[deadhorse66]

I agree with mtrv8n. I would advise what he said and use timing tape in conjunction with a good light. If you want a really good one, Snap-on is always an option, but just as with any of their other products, they are very proud of them. Matco makes a pretty good light, and you might want to check Cornwell and Mac as well.

[charger_dan]

I picked up my dial-advance timing light at Sears probably 7-8 years ago.
I think I paid about $60-70 for it, and it's always worked great.

[dave571]

If the balancer ring has slipped, timing tape won't help(especially if the tape was on, when it slipped). You still need a balancer where the timing mark is TDC.

I find an advance timing light far more accurate when setting timing, since you don't have to worry about how easy it is to read the marks on the cover. Is 12 or 15 easy to read on some of the old cars, where the factory spec was 4?

Set the dial to what you want, and line the mark up with 0. It will be right every time. Also handy for checking your advance curve.

I know there's a lot of talk about slipping balancers on this board, but I have yet to see one(I'm sure it happens, but I don't think it's very common). 10 years as a licensed tech, and 4 years with my own shop. If the engine has been rebuilt , the machine shop will have checked the condition of the balancer at that time.

[mtrv8n]

I haven't had one slip, but I haven't dumped a clutch at 7500rpm with 500hp either..

[5thAve]

They say the most accurate way is with a regular timing light and tape. I remember reading before about someone trying several different advance lights, and I don't think any one of them matched another. I use tape, mainly because for how often I check/set timing I'm sticking with the light I already have.

[71383bee]

I guess i should have asked if an Advance timing Light is worth it! Thanks for the replies. The motor is rebuilt and the balancer was checked and i currently use a regular light with the timing tape. It all seems to work right cause I read 38^ at 2600rpm. I was just wondering if there was a good advantage to having a dialing light versus a regular light and if so if the regular sears brand light is a decent type.

[MoparBilly G]

A leading Automotive magazine tested a whole bunch of the Dial adance lights a couple of years ago, and the two most accurate were the top-of-the-line Snap-on, and the Sears Craftsman cheapie!!
My brother's Snap-on digital goes berserk on MSD ignitions...but my sears works just fine!!!

[6 packin]

The timing light they sell at the local Autozone is a good light! It has the adjustable advance knob and is MSD compatable were i have the 6AL box on one of my cars! It was around $70!

[5thAve]

The only advantage to me would be that you wouldn't have to have timing tape on each car you're checking if you want to go by a higher number.

[71SATELITE]

If your realy cheap like me, measure your timiing tab and add the total timing you are looking for on the balancer: example 10 + 10 +10 mark the balancer. Then rev to proper rpm's and check the balancer with your e-cheapo timing light at max advance. Cheap timing light 15 dollars, pen 1 dollar, whooping some comaro a$$ in a 30 year old 3800 pound B-body because your engine is dialed in... priceless.