timing light w/ advance recomendations

[gmonde]

so my snap on timing light of 20 years lost the magnet in the pick up during my dyno session(of coarse the biggest day of the winter) and replacement parts are not available
so what are you guys using for timing lights with advance ???,,also has to work with the msd digital 6al

[bykr]

I always thought your not supposed to use the advance timing lights on MSD stuff.

[Lee Valentine]

Advance timing lights are a no-no.

[richie 2]

pld school straight up units...

[Billy Nees]

I've used a Snap-on advance timing light for all of the years that I've been racing with almost every type of MSD ignition system. I haven't had any problems.

[Hacksaw]

I never use timing lights with an advance feature, don't trust them. I like the self battery powered units. Simple.

[Glenn Briglio]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

I've used a Snap-on advance timing light for all of the years that I've been racing with almost every type of MSD ignition system. I haven't had any problems.

Didn't know they had timing lights during stone age.......lol

[CMcAllister]

Adjustable advance timing lights are not recommended for use on MSD ignitions. Plenty of information/confirmation out there with a little Goggleing.

MSD sells their own light, both 12v and self powered - or - you can try to find an old Ferret/MSD non-adjustable light - or - you can pick up a mint or NOS Sears/Penske 2138 light, this was sold relabeled by MSD years ago under part #8990. This is what I've used for decades. They are out there.

I've seen people say they've had good results with some of the self-powered lights (Flaming River, etc) available as well, but have no personal experience with them.

[cmracing]

Whatever happened to increasing the timing until it showed on the timeslip no gain or you're going slower? Who really cares about the actual number? Get it to crank, idle, and go down the track.

A cheap Sears light or similar to get it fired and close and then tune it.......

If you can't afford a good damper (balancer) then put the timing tape on there. I don't own a dial-back light, never have.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Glenn Briglio

Didn't know they had timing lights during stone age.......lol

Ya know, I know a guy who used to run comp cars and gassers WAAAAY back in the day (he's well into his 80s) and he set his timing by lining up his timing mark on the balance at the timing that he wanted, turning the ignition on and moving the distributor until the points (remember them?) sparked. After that, he would move the distributor back-and-forth until the ET slip was happy.