Timing lights – what do you use/ recommend?

[melle]

I have a fancy adjustable Hella timing light with all kinds of gizmos that works fine for points ignition, but with Hall systems readings are all over the place for some reason. So, I'm now looking for a simple, non-adjustable strobe that does what it's supposed to do. There are plenty cheapy strobes on eBay, such as the Accuspark S8000 for less than £15 delivered. Is there a catch or do they work fine? What do you use and how does it perform?

[jifflemon]

A Snap-ON MT2261AP. Set me back a small fortune back in 1991 when I bought it, but has stood the test of time.

Being able to dial in the timing figure then look for TDC instead of some random mark has been far easier over the years.

[ChasR]

I use a Chrome plated Gunsons timing light where you can also adjust the timing figure. It's been great over the years, and often solved a few 'timed by ear' cars which despite pulling well do not drive well at low speed on part throttle and tend to fail the emissions.

[melle]

Jan 20, 2017 18:14:32 GMT jifflemon said:

Being able to dial in the timing figure then look for TDC instead of some random mark has been far easier over the years.

Interesting, I was just thinking about this. The action of the adjustment wheel on the Hella I have is way too smooth to maintain a setting, perhaps this is why I've always disliked this function. The other interesting option with adjustable timing lights is establishing the total advance, although that's not something I do on a daily basis (not that I use my timing light more than once or twice a year anyway). Maybe I should reconsider my options and go for something more advanced again, although a (new) Snap-On is out of my reach.

[kabman]

Jan 20, 2017 16:04:30 GMT melle said:

... works fine for points ignition, but with Hall systems readings are all over the place for some reason.

Chances are that any car modern enough to use a hall sensor will also be using the ignition to control the idle speed. Does it look more steady when it's not idling?

[melle]

I'm sure the issue is with the timing light. I convert the standard points ignition on my V4 Saabs to a Bosch Hall system from VWs or Volvos, but I've also used simple Aldon/ Pertronix kits and get erratic readings with those as well.

[fad]

I have one of those accusparks and... Well... It doesn't read the spark at all on my points ignition. Bit of a strange one really...

[melle]

Hmmm, that doesn't sound good. I'm quite tempted to buy a quality light, perhaps a used one.

[melle]

Went with an AccuSpark P8000 (with adjuster) in the end, let's see how it'll hold up.

[melle]

For the record: I've been using the AccuSpark P8000 for a while now and I can recommend it.

[cjhillman]

Hey all, rather than starting a new thread i thought id ask here.

I'm looking for a timing light to tune my 1979 Capri (sierra electronic ignition) and 1985 Escort mk3 (on Points) . Do i need an RPM read out, advance knob or just plane cheap timing light? The Capri has a Rev counter but the Escort does not. Also looking at items such as the P8000 with the advance knob, is this a useful feature over the cheaper lights with no dial/rpm read out?

I don't want to spend tons of cash on this so interested in these cheaper brands . here are a few examples:

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/P8000-AccuSpark-Professional-Timing-Light-with-advance-control/111543550131?_trkparms=aid%3D333200%26algo%3DCOMP.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20180409081753%26meid%3D87fc1b617239420aba7ed4b85e03d469%26pid%3D100008%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D282929199501%26itm%3D111543550131&_trksid=p2047675.c100008.m2219

www.ebay.co.uk/p/AccuSpark-Ignition-Red-Adjustable-Strobe-Timing-Lamp-Light/13021184535?iid=391346184301&_trkparms=aid%3D888007%26algo%3DDISC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140328180637%26meid%3D22e5559da9c64d4a89ccdc96a34bd8a4%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26mehot%3Dag%26sd%3D333096511641%26itm%3D391346184301&_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Xenon-Inductive-Timing-Light-Strobe-Car-Van-Marine-Lighting-Fixture-8000-RPM-UK/264024567544?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3D9f1e3104a65c412bb918951d840b81c2%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D311508218956%26itm%3D264024567544&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

[Phil H]

Given most timing lights use an inductive pickup off a plug lead, modern plugs leads are “too good” and prevent the pickup working. I do recall having to use an old plug lead to swap out to get the pickup to work correctly.

[melle]

I would buy one with an adjustment knob, but make sure it's one that doesn't move of its own accord. I've never had any issues with leads that blocked signal pick-up.

[oldisbetter]

Got an accuspark SP8000 last week and the first time i used it today it was not great, the rev counter was jumping about and 10 minutes later it just stopped working.