It's Timing Light time!

Lew Silverman · 07-01-2014, 11:06 AM

After what I think is 20-plus years, my timing light has finally stopped working! It was a self-powered model, of nondescript manufacture, that gave me great service. I run an MSD distributor/6AL-2 set-up. What would you recommend that might be a good replacement?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

jmantle · 07-01-2014, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lew Silverman

After what I think is 20-plus years, my timing light has finally stopped working! It was a self-powered model, of nondescript manufacture, that gave me great service. I run an MSD distributor/6AL-2 set-up. What would you recommend that might be a good replacement?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

My old Mac timing light didn't seem to like the MSD ignition so I bought an MSD timing light. Works great.

Jim Mantle V/SA 6632

Doug Domm · 07-01-2014, 11:33 AM

At one time MSD suggested in their bulletins a craftsman timing light. I can't recall the model no. it looks the same as their light which leads me to believe the MSD light may be repackaged. It is not self powered and no built in advance. I think Sears still sells that same light. I bought one a long long time ago and it still gives me good service. I can check on my model no. If you like. I bought a second one a couple years ago off eBay just to leave in the trailer.

carl hinkson · 07-01-2014, 01:03 PM

Flaming River self powered light works great with MSD. Not many dial back lights except the MSD light will with multi spark systems.

http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/sh...hp?tid/173877/

http://www.dragracingonline.com/tech...-lights-1.html

CMcAllister · 07-01-2014, 01:23 PM

Some old MSD literature I have gives a Sears Penske part no A2134 as the one to use. I believe the 2138 is the newer version of that light and looks like the old chrome light MSD sold for years. I still have mine and it works great.

There are a number of 2134 and 2138 lights on ebay for $50 or less and in nice shape. I always chose vintage mint or excellent condition US made stuff over new, import crap and would grab one of those if I were in need of a light to use on an MSD system.

Doug Domm · 07-01-2014, 02:11 PM

I just looked at my craftsman light and its a 28-2134 and yes it's the chrome one. The light is reasonably bright and never been an issue for me. I also looked at the one in the trailer to be certain it was the exact same as my original and it is. If memory serves me I think I paid $20 or so on eBay for the trailer light and it was like new in the original box. It works just fine too and shows the exact same readings as my original and an old Sun timing light I compared it to. I'm sure there are better and more expensive out there but I am OK with what I have. If its off a few degrees from a wazoo light I'm Ok with that because to me it's just a reference as long as it will repeat. The motor will tell me what it likes.

Bob Bender · 07-01-2014, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carl hinkson

Flaming River self powered light works great with MSD. Not many dial back lights except the MSD light will with multi spark systems.

http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/sh...hp?tid/173877/

http://www.dragracingonline.com/tech...-lights-1.html

Thats what I have ( Flaming River) and it works great!!!!!

1320racer · 07-01-2014, 03:07 PM

My nearly 30 year old Snap On, "Computerized" dial back timing light like this one...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SNAP-ON-TOOL...f#ht_398wt_867

has always worked with every MSD ignition I've had.

That said, I also have a MSD Self-Powered Timing Light.

FED 387 · 07-01-2014, 03:16 PM

Get a Sun!!! mine is at least 35 years old still works perfectly-must be a XENON inductive light--- forget dial type--- time it above 3000 RPM--A good Sun will work in direct sunlight no need to get under a blanket although if you get in the direct sunlight a towel to shield over the balancer might not be a bad idea--with my Sun the clamp that fastens on to the plug wire has an arrow on it and you must have the arrow pointing in the correct direction or it will not read correctly---

CMcAllister · 07-01-2014, 03:36 PM

IIRC, the dial back type lights will work OK if you leave it set on "zero" and rely on the marks on the damper. I believe the issue is that if you rev the engine up to check total, the electronics can't quite keep up and they end up a few degrees behind. The higher the RPM, the farther off they are. I believe MSD prefers a non-adjustable light be used.

07-01-2014, 11:06 AM	#1
Lew Silverman VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 1,438 Likes: 372 Liked 129 Times in 59 Posts	It's Timing Light time! After what I think is 20-plus years, my timing light has finally stopped working! It was a self-powered model, of nondescript manufacture, that gave me great service. I run an MSD distributor/6AL-2 set-up. What would you recommend that might be a good replacement? Thanks in advance for your suggestions! __________________ Lew Silverman #2070 "The Wagon Master" N/SA

07-01-2014, 11:33 AM	#3
Doug Domm Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: canada Posts: 244 Likes: 26 Liked 40 Times in 19 Posts	Re: It's Timing Light time! At one time MSD suggested in their bulletins a craftsman timing light. I can't recall the model no. it looks the same as their light which leads me to believe the MSD light may be repackaged. It is not self powered and no built in advance. I think Sears still sells that same light. I bought one a long long time ago and it still gives me good service. I can check on my model no. If you like. I bought a second one a couple years ago off eBay just to leave in the trailer.

07-01-2014, 01:03 PM	#4
carl hinkson Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NORTHEAST Posts: 287 Likes: 1 Liked 18 Times in 10 Posts	Re: It's Timing Light time! Flaming River self powered light works great with MSD. Not many dial back lights except the MSD light will with multi spark systems. http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/sh...hp?tid/173877/ http://www.dragracingonline.com/tech...-lights-1.html

07-01-2014, 01:23 PM	#5
CMcAllister Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Fulton County, PA Posts: 533 Likes: 9 Liked 745 Times in 206 Posts	Re: It's Timing Light time! Some old MSD literature I have gives a Sears Penske part no A2134 as the one to use. I believe the 2138 is the newer version of that light and looks like the old chrome light MSD sold for years. I still have mine and it works great. There are a number of 2134 and 2138 lights on ebay for $50 or less and in nice shape. I always chose vintage mint or excellent condition US made stuff over new, import crap and would grab one of those if I were in need of a light to use on an MSD system.

07-01-2014, 02:11 PM	#6
Doug Domm Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: canada Posts: 244 Likes: 26 Liked 40 Times in 19 Posts	Re: It's Timing Light time! I just looked at my craftsman light and its a 28-2134 and yes it's the chrome one. The light is reasonably bright and never been an issue for me. I also looked at the one in the trailer to be certain it was the exact same as my original and it is. If memory serves me I think I paid $20 or so on eBay for the trailer light and it was like new in the original box. It works just fine too and shows the exact same readings as my original and an old Sun timing light I compared it to. I'm sure there are better and more expensive out there but I am OK with what I have. If its off a few degrees from a wazoo light I'm Ok with that because to me it's just a reference as long as it will repeat. The motor will tell me what it likes.

07-01-2014, 03:07 PM	#8
1320racer VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,778 Likes: 70 Liked 400 Times in 191 Posts	Re: It's Timing Light time! My nearly 30 year old Snap On, "Computerized" dial back timing light like this one... http://www.ebay.com/itm/SNAP-ON-TOOL...f#ht_398wt_867 has always worked with every MSD ignition I've had. That said, I also have a MSD Self-Powered Timing Light. Last edited by 1320racer; 07-01-2014 at 03:12 PM.

07-01-2014, 03:16 PM	#9
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,349 Likes: 327 Liked 280 Times in 150 Posts	Re: It's Timing Light time! Get a Sun!!! mine is at least 35 years old still works perfectly-must be a XENON inductive light--- forget dial type--- time it above 3000 RPM--A good Sun will work in direct sunlight no need to get under a blanket although if you get in the direct sunlight a towel to shield over the balancer might not be a bad idea--with my Sun the clamp that fastens on to the plug wire has an arrow on it and you must have the arrow pointing in the correct direction or it will not read correctly---

07-01-2014, 03:36 PM	#10
CMcAllister Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Fulton County, PA Posts: 533 Likes: 9 Liked 745 Times in 206 Posts	Re: It's Timing Light time! IIRC, the dial back type lights will work OK if you leave it set on "zero" and rely on the marks on the damper. I believe the issue is that if you rev the engine up to check total, the electronics can't quite keep up and they end up a few degrees behind. The higher the RPM, the farther off they are. I believe MSD prefers a non-adjustable light be used.