How to Use a Timing Light - Basics (Ignition Timing 101)
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- Опубликовано: 27 авг 2024
- This Video shows the basics of using a timing light.
Here Is The Tool List w/ Associated Links! (on Amazon) -
- Quality & Affordable Timing Light: goo.gl/n35YcF
- Cost Effective Timing Light (Used on Screen): goo.gl/3ZSrKp
here is the link to the video on how to make timing tape if your balancer is not equipped. • How to Make Timing Tap...
*** Here are two links to Timing Lights Iv Used w/ good results!! ***
- Quality & Affordable Timing Light: goo.gl/n35YcF
- Cost Effective Timing Light (Used on Screen): goo.gl/3ZSrKp
❤❤Yeah but what are you pointing the light and and what do you see cause i still dont know what im pointing the flashing light at !??
This video worked out well for me! Was just trying to figure out how to use the timing tool itself. I think people are complaining because if you dont know much about cars at all this is indeed slightly confusing. But perfect for someone just trying to figure out how to use the tool! Thanks appreciate it. Hope the truck gives you miles of fun and adventures
Appreciate this, new too doing timing and shit was overwhelming my head trying too read or watch videos on how too do it. You did an epic job explaining it in a way that is very easy.
Ford got it right with the distributor up front. Gotta go to a big block before dodge moved them up
1991 3 Liter Ford Ranger has the distributor at the back by the fire wall
@@williamchapman7 is that a ford motor or when did they move to Mazda?
@@williamwayland1888 This was a Ford engine, the Mazda ranger started in 1993
Pretty good video, but it would've been nice to see how you move the distributor to adjust for whatever you saw on the timing indicator and the light.
rotfan77 that’s a fair enough argument.
ThunderHead289 , not so much an argument, just a suggestion, but still a great video. Thanks
move it left if that is wrong move it right.
@@chenlee3240 You're dead wrong Chen....What school you went? you move it ccw then cw...the ccw again. and it thats wrong, by gum, move it back...lol
Nice truck and great video. Old tools are cool
Thanks for making this video. Extremely helpful
How could anyone dislike this?
Only the Fram oil filter on his 302,
@@peggyseefeldt2638😂😂😂😂😂
Hey Thunder I had a few questions, Im building my first truck its not a ford but Chevy with 350 small block, im getting ready to turn the motor over for the first time after rebuilding and what are the steps i should take before i grenade the thing, im 17 and have a couple of buddies to help if I needed thanks man!
Appreciate it. Got new ignition for 1996 ktm 250sx and just want to double check that i set it right.
Good effort. But, you didn't discuss exactly what timing is or what vacuum advance is. Then, why hook the vacuum advance tube back up to the carb at all if timing is set without it?
"how to use a timing light" name of the video.
I do explain the function of vacuum advance - search vacuum advance on youtube. it will be one of the first videos (uploader thunderhead289)
@@ThunderHead289 will do. Thank you .
Thank you sir for this very informal video... I'm working on my 1995 Ford f150 302 5.0 .. it's skipping and popping and losing a lot of power in the fuel is burning Rich out the tailpipe.. hopefully this will help me
Seems like it would be incredibly difficult to see if it's lined up correctly, because it spins so dang fast. Or am I missing something ?
Only part I got confused is total timing, do I need that or do I only need to worry about getting to -10 to -12 degrees while idling
Great video. I just received a Innova 3568A timing light. 👍👍
This isnt the F100 from ‘dirty farm truck’ is it? If so you done great awesome work on it👍
I'm a noob. My timing light has a dial on the back that's labled like "Advance Degree" or something. The manual that came with it said to set it to 0. My timing is supposed to be 12° before top dead center. Do I need to turn the dial on the gun to 12 or do I leave it at 0?
How do I get an engine off the choke cycle with it being timed?
I've got a '76 IH Scout II that idled up to the point where it is now. It will not spark.. it's getting fuel like mad but simply pumping it through the exhaust. What should I be looking at on either the coil or the distributor?
Gotta keep these old things alive Dodge Chevy Ford... Hell internationals 😂 anything
Very few people will get thus correlation. DJ's use a laser to visually observe the 'grooves' etched into the sides of the platter on certain turntables Also, the reference points from particular light sources When the discrepancy in rotational turns coincide, the alignment is correct. Timing lights function similarly to achieve a standard to which a comparison can be made. I did not understand this ethereal concept before connecting the dots between investigating engine timing and turntable calibration. Physical characterisations apply nearly universally across the board in applications grounded in everyday indtances.
instances** learn some english
You dont really think he did that on purpose do you? get a life for crying out loud.
When you set total timing do you still have the vacum advance line unplugged from the carb?
So in newer vehicles with an advanced PCU and fuel injection, is there a way to check and adjust timing? Talking 2010 and newer
this video is awesome man. I'm from the quad cities in iowa too. thanks for the upload
Thanks for the positive response. My girl of over 3 years is from the quad cities
yeah i really needed the video. I'm trying to time my 352. in my 65' ford
nice. i run a 65 galaxie. daily drove it up until this year.
My wife is from the QC (Bettendorf)I’m from Milwaukee. It gets cooler a friend from high school married another girl from the QC(rock island).
You guys have some lovely women
That's a sweet truck , I saw the vid where you backed it out to make room in your driveway , sounds mean ! I`m about to swap my `70 body onto my `78 f150 2wd frame , probably make a "how I did it vid" because I haven`t found any on that subject .
Thank you for the helpful information
How do I time a car that’s not running my distributor move because the bolt was loose
Does a 86 Mercruiser 5.7L 260 V8 have vacuum connection to undo before setting timing?
Cool air cleaner.. and cool video
Hello Thunderhead, I have a 88 Volvo 740 GLE and could only get it between 8-9' TDC when It calls for 10'+,- 2' TDC. Someone told me I needed to find out if I need to disconnect something first before it would properly advance. After watching this video I am wondering if it is the vacuum advance. Not sure if that is standard for most cars manly mined.
Any info on how to fix may timing issue would be great.
Sheneedstofixit.
Thanks for sharing
Hi, can i ask you something about timing and valve clearance?
I have set the time at 10 degrees BTDC, then adjust the timing to 12 degrees. The car drive good, but there is a tapping noise coming from the valve and cam. How to make this noise go away?
Thanks you.
Just curious, why do you have to disconnect the vacuum advance tube when setting total timing?
Because without a load on the engine, your vacuum advance will be factored in. We are not worried about this when setting mechanical total timing since when you are under hard load when it can detonate, the vacuum on the engine will be such that the vacuum advance will be at 0.
Good video. Can anyone tell please why we need to remove the vacuum hose and loosen the distributor?
Thanks.
Loosen the distributor to move initial timing. Remove vacuum advance since it’s only active at high vacuum, not hard throttle, thus not a consideration for critical timing events.
Hook vacuum advance to ported vacuum vs manifold
When I set my engine to TDC by hand it lines up perfectly with the timing marks on the HB, but when I use a timing gun it lights up like around 50deg BTDC (total guess). 67 bronco 289. idles around 800, vacuum advance plugged, HB looks original, but i think is in good shape. Is my timing light bad?
+Jay Muir something isnt right there. it couldnt run at timing like that. i cant say that your timing light is bad, but that is not the proper reading !!!
I've read a couple articles that stated they put 10 degrees of timing on the crank and then advanced to around 18 degrees. What does timing on the crank mean?
At 2:06 top left corner (passenger side )of the photo. What is on the inner fender wall ? I have an empty 3 wire connector there. Is it important ?
I was told to put the pickup as close to the spark plug as you could. What do you think?
Ideally yes, that will make it even more accurate, but we are only talking about 1/4 to 1/2 degree. I have tested it both ways. I keep it higher now so it doesn't get burned by the header
I’ve got a 73 f100 and she runs really rough.
Dies when I stop.
Won’t turn over in park, has to be in neutral.
Where do I start?
i have a 2bbl 351w 1979 block mostly stock with a miss match of ford parts, headers and all smog junk gone are the only mods. well I gave it a full tune up, set the timing and mixture using a vacuum gauge . then checked the timing and it wants 30btdc at a idle of 850rpm. has new balance r, the vacuum line was not connected to distributor. used a dial back timing light and it is working right as i have a 10btdc line on the balance r as well as 0 mark and when the light is set to 0 and i turn the distributor for 10btdc on the balance r, then i turn the dial on the light to 10btdc, the 0 mark is seen on the balance r. well hear is how i have the distributor set up, it is a motor craft points distributor using the 10l slot with 1 Mr.gasket 925d spring in place of the heavy spring with the initial timing set to 3btdc+27vacum advance with vacuum line on manifold vacuum port for 30btdc, as that is what the engine likes. runs good to. but the total mechanical is a bit low as 3btdc+20 that's what the 10l is suppose to provide. i have a 15l sot in it as well and that would give me 30 plus 3btdc for 33btdc total mechanical advance. i want to have your opinion if my existing curve is good or could i do better.
does it matter if you put your pickup on a different spark plug wire?, instead of plug 1?
..... yes. Has to be one to line up with the balancer
Do you still have to use a timing light with electronic ignition,?
Mate no idea how to work a timing light please explain what we are looking for
Total timing, do i move the distributor to 32 or 34 degrees? My SBC 350 is stock. I read my initial timing is 8 degrees.
Clear as mud.
If that was hard to follow, then you have a lot to learned before you start actually wrenching on a car.
Great explanation!
So.. How do I figure out if my timing is correct? Or how do I figure out where to set the distributor at?
I just have a set of aftermarket dual carbs, emissions delete, msd and exhaust…. But not sure if those items change variables in timing at all…?
Also, for the distributor springs, at what point should I start thinking of getting a more advancing set?
I understand it’s not a “cut to the answer” question but I actually blew one of my engines when I was timing it I think I went too advanced or maybe retarded and anyways was a while ago, just scared to do that again😬
Quick question sir...to check total timing, do you do so with the vacuum port still plugged (no dizzy) or do you do it with the it connected to the distributor ? I never seem to find the answer to this. THANKS !!!
You want to set total timing with vacuum disconnected - the reason, your vacuum advance drops out at lower engine vacuum situations (high throttle) so it’s not necessary.
Think of vacuum advance as an economizer - when you aren’t hard into the throttle, the volume of air and fuel you fill your cylinder with is much less, which means the cylinder charge is much less dense. This has a much longer burn time and requires more advance - when you stomp on the throttle, cylinder fill volume increases and you don’t need that extra timing to firing the mixture at the right time (actually you would spark knock if you didn’t drop it out)
Thunderhead289 @ RUclips
ThunderHead289 awesome !!! You answered a question that no one makes clear !!!
I need to come out of my youtube retirement
ThunderHead289 yes you do. You videos are not only helpful, but very down to earth. Example - one I used recently was the water pump( timing cover was already on) when I just put a 347 stroker in my 66 mustang. I had bought a long block but if I had bought a short block would have followed your assembly videos. I can give you content suggestion
why don't we refer to it as minimum and maximum timing? that way we (as in The Great Lebowskiy's "Royal We") don't have to take five minutes everytime we talk about timing to run through a tedious and unnecessary definition of arcane terminology?
referring to it as "initial timing" and "total timing" is about as useful as describing a hamburger as an "animal derived protein disc, garnished with vegetation, positioned between two slices of a processed grain".
On a Ford OBDI, if the timing mark flutters, it's the module!
How do you time without the degrees on the harmonic balancer
Look on your harmonic balancer for a small knick or notch cut into the edge of the balancer pulley on the side/edge closest to the engine. This will probably be a small V-cut notch. As a tip, it'll make a lot easier if you get a neon bright colored fingernail polish or very small applicator paint thats brightly colored to easily see the mark when it's spinning
Cool vid, is any one timing light better than another or are the all the same other than the name on the side?
My 1968 Ford LTD with 302ci (61K original miles) misfires (one cylinder i believe) at idle and only at idle.
I replaced spark plugs, wires, condensor, rotor, distributor cap, and points, and set points to proper spec.
I believe it is a cylinder on the the right side misfiring. I believe vaccum is good but havent tested it. Any suggesting. Distributor wont budge, and harmonic balancer doesng have numbers and hashes, it has two lines and dot in between thrm. I am guessing this dot is ideal timing at idle. I am working on getting a timing light.
Any ideas?
id say get a vacuum gauge on it and see if you have a steady reading. if its quickly blipping back and forth, theres an issue. if its just hunting around, you need to reset your idle mix screws and throttle plate (curb idle screw should only show a square on the transfer slots). your ignition timing on a stock 302 would be decent at 8 to 10 degrees. set this with vacuum disconnected - once done, lay your vacuum advance line on manifold vacuum. if these things are all done, she will run good. (make sure no one messed with the firing order. )
does this make sense?
Ill see about renting or using a vaccum gauge, and look up how to use it. I think th factory spec is 6 degrees idle time. Says so on right valve cover. Also says idle should be set at 550rpm for automatic transmission.
I have my doubts that the timing needs adjusted, since it runs so well past idle, and the distributor is frozen. I think it is either a vaccum or carb issue. Will keep playing around with it. Firing order is correct. It is my only car, got it about 3 weeks ago, but cant drive it (i do around the neighborhood) because og recent suspended license
yeah, you get much more power out of 8 to 10 degrees. idle that thing in drive at 800 and you will be much more happy.
I have the same truck with a 450 big block.
with the advance disconected what sought of initial should you go for on a mild street engine 351c with 486 lift cam ? 10 -12 deg ? and 34 -36 total is this correct ?,because i have been setting it with the vac advanced hooked up ? and hey i saw another dog in the backround.
+Darron Mecak something in that range for sure. you ill be around 10-15 initial, and i generally dont like going over 34 total just to be on the safe side for the street. be leery of how much timing the vacuum advance pulls in, you may need an adjustable vacuum advance canister. and yes, the lady and i have two mountain curs that go with us everywhere!!!
How does the light even show, I'm very confused
It allows you to see where the timing arrow is lining up with the harmonic balance timing marks. If say you set 20 degrees timing it should flash at the split second those marks line up at the 20 mark. The light will flash every time cylinder 1 fires. So in short, it shows you (flashes) when whichever cylinder you have it hooked up to, fires.
@@CravingClassics It's spinning so quick and the light flashes so fast how can you actually see if it's flashing at the right time?
@@charizard9735 you will see the timing marks flashing if set correctly. When rpm goes up your advance should increase as well. So if set right (timing) your timing gun should flash when the marks are in line, allowing you to see them in line.
And in the 70's they had dwell meters,.......does your truck have points?
And old manuals had dwell settings?
shoutout from DSM,IA lol
hi i have a 305 with a mild cam dont know what size. my question is i
have a pertronix flame thrower distributor with copper springs
installed can i use a b28 canister with this engine i am kinda new
at this
thank you
What is a b28 canister? What are you relating that to?
ThunderHead289 advance canister on the side of distributor . it suppose to advace @ 8 inhg instead of 16 inhg. just trying to figure best curve for thisengine . sorry if im confusing new at this
+Giovanni Krasniqi I get what you are saying now. That is just at what vacuum the canister is nullified. Your advance on your ignition that really matters is contained by your springs inside the distrib. If you have a mild cam, I'd say go with the unit you have because your mild cam will drop the manifold vacuum
Thank you for your replying back. One more question im trying to get 36 degrees total timeing they say set initial timeing to 8- 10* i call pertronix to ask how much adavace does my model distributor put out he said 24..does that mean i have to set initial timeing to 12 in order to get 36 degree thank u again for educating me on this
+Giovanni Krasniqi 8 to 10 is for stock engines, I'd imagine you will end up around 14 or 15 degrees of initial timing for your engine to run right. If you have a cam, run ported vacuum advance also.
I just got a 72 corvette from an estate sale the car has a new ( o miles ) full rocker 454 w/not a stock cam cant get any info. from the family because they just dont know anything about it. How do i get some timing numbers? Any info. would be a start.
Soon I'll be putting together a video on how read your plugs for timing. Here's how I would do it, set your carb so that only a square is showing on the transfer slots, then adjust your initial timing so that the engine runs around the desired rpm range. 800 or so. I'm assuming you will be around 12 to 15 degrees initial. Your total timing needs to be roughly 32 to 34 to keep it safe. You might also check out my video on how to adjust the mix screws. If you live in Iowa, I'd just take a trip to get you set up myself.
Thanks for the info. I got the motor all together, fired when the gas hit the carb this thing is a monster it wants a green launch light, no joke. I:m still kickin myself for not getting another car. 19 restored cars less then 20 days to sell them all. Actually i live in california not Iowa but that would have been sweet if i did. I would of paid for the trip and had BBQ waiting for you. i ll try your #:s THX
thats killer!
Yeah getting hand caught in fan stings a bit
I love your videos 100% but I need to ask you I hooked up my timing today and I'm running about 6 degrees but the second I hook up the vacuum advance it jumps up to about 35 degrees at idle help please
Ronnie Halsel you are hooking it up to manifold vacuum and your vacuum advance must pull in a ton of timing.
Have you seen my other videos regarding setting initial timing?
I have I've actually watched quite a few of your videos can you tell me which ones would be the right ones to watch I've even watched you with the other guy the junkyard guy sorry I'm horrible with names
@@ThunderHead289 btw thanks for all the videos I really do appreciate all the help do you have a patron account?
Aye men or women of the engine world. What the heck could cause my z24i 4 banger with 8 plugs 2 coils and a throttle bottle double fuel injector setup to idle at 3-4K and never come down? Would this be timing related too?
Great video. Any recommendations for timing to gain performance out of 88 ford EFI 302 v8 non-HO
all depends what you want to do. the efi is pretty hard to get more power out of regarding ignition timing. the computer pretty much controls it after the initial setting.
doesnt a fan shroud help keep your motor cool?
indeed. this truck is made from spare parts lol. just dont have a spare shroud. temp only passes 190 if stuck in traffic in a 95 plus degree day. i shut it down before it has ever even reached 210. its getting a big aluminum radiator and shroud with a 351 windsor soon.
And fingers full lol
What is the price of gas there,........and I was at walmart and they only sell synthetic oil now?
Does anyone still sell real oil?
Front drivers side If your in another country
I don't understand. You didnt show how to adjust the timing up or down or how to tell what the correct timing is or how to read the timing light. Sorry but this video is useless.
those mechanical fans were too dangerous..being a mechanic back then was very risky
Feel free to ask timing questions? I'm in ohio how long will it take me to get to Iowa?
7-10 hours depending on where your going
Your know what’s bad if want to know how to do something I watch how you do it an I don’t know everything an I’m old lol never to old to let someone teach you what to do
With your hand before the wheel I see nothing
So you showed us how to hold the light and point it at the harmonic balancer. duh now what? Can you please show us how to turn on the headlights
alright dude - im going to ignore the rudness. i happen to be on tonight, so what do you want me to explain to you. im explaining how to use a timing light - if you would like a further explanation i would be happy to oblige if you point me towards what you want to know.
nothing? damn
So basically you stated that you were going to make this an easy process and quick and then you jump to giving us links to different videos taking us away from the video did absolutely none of what you said I give this a thumbs down it's actually more of a headache jumping through everything that you were supposedly helping with
I do it all by ear and paint dabs.
LOL 1:35 why would you disconnect the hose at the carb then waste time putting a plug on the carb vacuum fitting under hot parts when the hose on the vacuum advance can is right in front of you? Silly! Disconnect it at the can and plug the hose with a golf tee. Danger danger, don’t run an engine without a fan shroud unless you like visiting the Emergency Room.
Because ported vacuum shouldn’t have vacuum at idle. Without lookin bat the video, but with reading your comment, I’m betting my vacuum advance was on ported.
ThunderHead289 not sure if your on ported or not. I have a 70 Z28 350 LT1 and I use full manifold vacuum, plus there is no ported fitting on the 67-7? Z28 Holley’s cause these were not smog engines. Wish GM had the distributor at the front of the engine like Ford. I would still disconnect your hose at the VA can. Thx for the reply even though this is an old video. Cheers and stay safe.
Basics that jhon has a dail 🤣🤣😂
Its hank
I think you need to tell people that certain timing lights will not work with certain wires. Giving this video a thumbs down.
You think your peasant opinion means anything?
I make
@@ThunderHead289 thats what I thought wannabe low life.
@@ThunderHead289 what a dick head statement
@@ThunderHead289 you called someone a peasant for calling you out???? You are a dick!!!!!
I learned nothing
Then you have no hope.
fram oil filter?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
David Shoup the fram is designed okay for the SBF. But yes, I use wix - I was in the middle of a filter comparison video as well that just never came to be on the channel. Not enough differentiation honestly for a video
Huh
Shite.
HUH?! No idea what I just watched. Guess I better google. "What is vehicle timing and why adjust it?"
The WizDad rut roh. How did you even wind up here then?
ThunderHead289 searched youtube for F150 tune up. I own a 92 F150 and wanted to know about timing as my truck has power issues. 😂
The WizDad search my nMd - Thunderhead289 and bronco 302 ignition timing. You will have the exact same set up 👍
Poor.
Sterling Witherspoon why do so many people struggle with understanding this video ....
yeah sorry its not horrible but it certainly is not clear on certain parts