Timing Lights

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

Just wondering if anyone has come across this brand of timing light and if they are any good?

Innova Digital Timing Light Tool With Advance Tacho Petrol Engine Ignition | eBay

It is for a 202 Holden red motor fitted to a Series III LWB Land Rover.

The old girl has been getting a bit harder to start and then running rough. This afternoon I grabbed the distributor and the whole unit moved in my hand, very easily

The tightening bolt must have loosened a little more each time I have started it since I bought the vehicle from the previous owner. They said it was starting to run a bit rough for some reason? Now I know why .

I have a electronic distributor that is a complete new unit to replace the old points set up. From the links on YouTube part of the task of swapping the systems over is to set the timing again.

By the way - I have never used a timing light before. Therefore, if lights like this one have more features that make it easier to use and more fool proof than the $20 sort, I would be happier getting a $70 one

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Tank]

Looks to be a bit bulky and overcomplicated, might have problems getting the strobe light into position to see the timing mark and I believe in the KISS principle. Straight round tube style is much easier to get into tight spots, esp. with the engine running, Regards Frank










QUOTE=Lionelgee;2385916]Hello All,

Just wondering if anyone has come across this brand of timing light and if they are any good?

Innova Digital Timing Light Tool With Advance Tacho Petrol Engine Ignition | eBay

It is for a 202 Holden red motor fitted to a Series III LWB Land Rover.

The old girl has been getting a bit harder to start and then running rough. This afternoon I grabbed the distributor and the whole unit moved in my hand, very easily

The tightening bolt must have loosened a little more each time I have started it since I bought the vehicle from the previous owner. They said it was starting to run a bit rough for some reason? Now I know why .

I have a electronic distributor that is a complete new unit to replace the old points set up. From the links on YouTube part of the task of swapping the systems over is to set the timing again.

By the way - I have never used a timing light before. Therefore, if lights like this one have more features that make it easier to use and more fool proof than the $20 sort, I would be happier getting a $70 one

Kind Regards
Lionel[/QUOTE]

[crackers]

It gives timing and tacho, which is nice, but it does not give a dwell reading. You say you're using electronic ignition so that doesn't matter but if you ever want to go back to points, or to use it on a vehicle with points, you'll have to buy a multi-meter anyway.

I'd also consider Tank's view that it looks a bit big and bulky though it's hard to tell.

$68 is a lot for one gadget that doesn't do everything.

Just things to think about, I'm not trying to advise you one way or the other.

For what it's worth, tuning vehicles is one of the greatest joys of vehicle maintenance... even though it can also be the greatest frustration (until you work out what's wrong). Twin carbies are even better

[gromit]

Lionel,
Why not set it initially with a cigarette paper.......

The timing light is useful to set the timing accurately but you can use thin paper or a multimeter to determine when the points are opening.

I've set several Land Rover motors up using a multimeter, you need to use this to get the motor running to be able to use a timing light. The Series II I recently sold wouldn't start when I got it, ended up the timing was 180 degrees out.

I have a number of El Cheapo strobe lights I've collected over the years, last one was $5 from an Op Shop. Don't use them often, the multimeter setup is usually good enough.

Colin

[350RRC]

LG........

With an electronic dizzy your timing light (and maybe rpm mode) will be the only useful things.

Timing light to set correct initial advance and to confirm your vacuum advance and possible mechanical advance are working properly.

Dwell will be irrelevant.

DL