Digital or Dial Back Timing Light

[Stuart F.]

I have been trying to find a "Dial Back" timing light. The only timing lights the auto parts stores carry, including Sears, are what they call "Digital" timing lights. When you ask any store clerk if they have a dial back timing light they do not know what you're talking about. The units are packaged such that you can not see any reference to a dial back capability, and the directions are sealed inside. The one at Sears cost $99.00 though I have seen similar ones for half that much at O'Reily's. They all have digital screens and a number of buttons, but I can't even read the markings on the buttons.

Any ideas?

Stu Fox

[Alan S.]

Re: Digital or Dial Back Timing Light

Hi Stu,
I have the ACTRON digital that is sold at my local Sears.
It took me a couple of minutes to read the instructions, learn the various capabilities of the light, and begin to use it.
I've not used it much because I haven't had to, but like it fine.
Regards,
Alan

[Jeff P.]

Re: Digital or Dial Back Timing Light

I've owned a Mac Tools Digital Dial Back Timing light since '92'. Snap-on tools and most auto parts stores that sell tools should be able to get them. Get the part numbers from the auto part store timing lights and check them out on google search. Do a few google searchs on timing lights.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Digital or Dial Back Timing Light

This is the current dial back one offered by Craftsman:

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-advanced-timing-light/p-00914065000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

There is one sold on Amazon by Innova that is less expensive as well.

[Frank D.]

Re: Digital or Dial Back Timing Light

The Actron Digital timing light IS a dial-back light. All that means is that you set the digital light to the timing you desire via the up/down buttons and when you reach that timing (moving distributor) the timing tab and pointer on the motor will be aligned at zero. Conversly if you want to know what timing an engine is set to you just use the up/down buttons to get the pointers at 0 and then read the timing light. Advance Auto has them all day long. I use the 7529 model...

[Stuart F.]

Re: Digital or Dial Back Timing Light

Thanks Patric and Frank. I figured that was what they were, but just did' want to throw money at a package without being sure what was in it.

Stu Fox

[Brad K.]

Re: Digital or Dial Back Timing Light

I agree with Clem Z. (from an earlier post) Why not forgo the potentially inaccurate (and expensive....$100 and more) dial back features on an additional light for my tool box.......go with a very cheap (< $10) tape-on, extended timing tab for my balancer and still use your old (non dial-back) timing method. The sole intent is to determine total advance with a short timing tab and to be able to draw an advance curve....isn't it? An inaccurate, total timing result may inadvertently cause you to replace your vacuum can or to disassemble your distributor when it's not necessary. I believe the simplicity of a dial-back system can interfere with it's accuracy. I guess I'm too cheap for my own good....but I do believe in accuracy the first time.....Is there something else for which these tools are required? Sorry....this is just my humble opinion!

[Frank D.]

Re: Digital or Dial Back Timing Light

I paid nowhere near $100, the lights are 'digital' and strobe light based so I don't know where the inaccuracy would lie. They aren't Sun machines but they make it fairly easy to curve your advance for optimal performance/economy. I don't understand balking at spending a few bucks for tools or the best parts for $50K - $100K cars but then that's just me...

Of course you could always 'time by ear' if you hate instrumentation. You can set the points with a matchbook cover too - who needs a dwell meter.

To each his own.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Digital or Dial Back Timing Light

I did my first go around without a dial back because I didn't have one and had to check it. I have the tape on the balancer for valve setting, as mentioned before, so just used what I had.

Frank, I'm closing on 76 now and am already getting flack from the family about driving my Vette, or for even working on it in the 90 plus heat. I look at that $100 as a couple good meals at Macs, Ha! If I buy one, I will probably only use it once to do A final dial in on my rebuilt distributor, and then it will take it's place in my tool box for my son to use again some day.

Stu Fox

[Brad K.]

Re: Digital or Dial Back Timing Light

I set my timing by a Sears digital strobe light and I set my dwell via a dwell meter..... so you misunderstood my intent by talking about offering an alternative for determining total spark advance. Some folks can't afford to buy new stuff all the time. There have been previous posts in the archives about the potential inaccuracies of dial-back systems if you haven't read them yet.

[Frank D.]

Re: Digital or Dial Back Timing Light

Well you have a dozen years on me but your family should realize screwing with, and driving, these old cars is what keeps you young!

I don't disparage whatever method anybody wants to use. I've checked my digital light against my completely "dumb" light from the 70s and they are within a hair of each other.

[John D.]

Re: Digital or Dial Back Timing Light

Keep an eye on craig's list...I got a snap on dial back timing light for $40....

[John H.]

Re: Digital or Dial Back Timing Light

I've had my Actron dial-back light (not digital) for at least ten years - checked it against my neighbor's $300 Snap-on, and it reads dead-on the same.


ActronCP7519.jpg

[Stuart F.]

Re: Digital or Dial Back Timing Light

Thanks to all that responded. I've learned a lot. I will probably pick up one of these when I get back in the country in late July anyway as the price isn't too bad. I suppose digital is the way to go, but the reports on the simpler manual dial sound pretty good. For my purposes that may be the way to go. I'm certainly not racing any more, but want to still have my engine running at it's best.

I see in the latest Hot Rod magazine a small article about offset grinding of crankshafts. They exposed my little B/S cheater trick from 1961, only I only had mine ground to provide a .030" stroke increase. My 57 post Bel Air ran low 13's with street tires all day long, which was good back then. Probably something to laugh at nowadays.

Stu Fox

[William F.]

Re: Digital or Dial Back Timing Light

That Craftsman shown is an older version. Newer ones have digital readout dial back function. Some of the more expensive ones read rpm and dwell as well as advance. Would at least spring for one with digital readout for rpm as well as advance.