Reattach the vacuum hose and recheck the timing.Once you’ve made the correct adjustments, use a wrench to tighten the distributor.It might take trial and error the first time, but you’ll quickly get a feel for it. Make adjustments in small increments until the timing is correct.Compare this number to the manufacturer’s recommendations. The strobing effect will cause one of the timing numbers to appear steady as the engine runs. You’ll see a number displayed when the strobe light flashes. Shine the timing light at the timing numbers on the crankshaft pulley. ![]() Disconnect the vacuum hose, clamping it so it doesn’t interfere with the readings.When you rotate the distributor, you adjust the timing. Loosen the distributor cap enough that you can barely twist it.Ensure none of the wires and cables are in the way of the engine’s moving parts-belts, fans, pulleys-or hot surfaces, such as the exhaust manifold. Attach the inductive wire clamp to the number-one spark plug wire.If using the standard timing light, attach the red cable from the timing light to the positive battery terminal and the black cable to the negative terminal.Shop now for timing lights How to Use a Timing Light MSD-compatible – These are used for vehicles with a multi-spark distribution system. It uses a single connection to the number-one spark plug wire. It is mainly used for racing or other unique vehicles that don’t have batteries and leads in the engine compartment. A third wire connects to the signal’s number-one spark plug wire.īattery-powered – This timing light doesn’t use the vehicle’s battery for power. They use two wires-one red and one black-connected to the battery. Buttons or a knob adjust the light to reveal the engine timing at various rpm. Standard – Timing lights for two- and four-cycle motors use a xenon light. There are three types: standard, battery-powered, and MSD-compatible. Timing lights are commonly shaped like a raygun but can also look like a bell or a pen. Refer to the manufacturer’s website, the shop manual, or listings from professional mechanics. You’ll need to compare the numbers you see to the manufacturer’s recommendations, but you won’t find this info in the owner’s manual. These numbers on the engine’s crankshaft pulley or flywheel are notched like a ruler to guide you toward precise adjustment. Timing adjustments are measured in degrees, and changes are made by advancing or moving back the timing by a few degrees. You can adjust the engine timing by slightly rotating the distributor to the precise timing advance. That groove, when illuminated, will appear next to the marks on the timing pointer. When holding the timing light and pointing at the harmonic balancer, the strobing timing light gives off a bright flash of light, illuminating the top-dead-center groove on the balancer. ![]() When the timing light is connected correctly to a running engine, it emits a strobe flash every time the number-one spark plug wire receives voltage from the ignition distributor via the attached inductive signal clamp connection. A groove on the harmonic balancer lines up with a pointer mounted to the engine block or timing chain cover, and when the groove aligns precisely with the pointer, the engine is at TDC. ![]() ![]() When using a timing light, it is critical to use TDC on the number-one piston on the compression stroke.Ĭonveniently, top dead center is indicated at the front of the engine via the harmonic balancer at the leading edge of the crankshaft. Whether the engine has four, six, or eight cylinders, TDC can refer to any piston on the cylinder compression or exhaust stroke. TDC is the highest point within the engine cylinder chamber that each piston reaches during the compression stroke. Setting the timing on a classic Volkswagen Beetle with an INNOVA Pro Timing Light
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