Timing light
 

I am looking to purchase a new timing light. I have a need for one that works on 6 volt and also 12 volt cars. Will a 12 volt model work on 6 as well or do I need two of them? I have an ole one but light isn't that bright, I have to work in the dark to see timing marks

Any suggestions are welcome.

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Re: Timing light
 

Habusailor,
I have a 40 year old Craftsman that is 12 volt. It will work with my 6V car, but the strobe is brighter if I attach the battery leads to a 12 volt battery instead of the 6V car battery.
Best of Luck.
Mike

Re: Timing light
 

Really need a deal back one, but no idea if any of them work on 6v.

Re: Timing light
 

As seen on eBay > https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sears-Pensk...oAAOSw6olfUVHi
Sears Penske Power Timing Light Model 244.2115 Manual & Box 6 or 12 Volt


https://i.ebayimg.com/thumbs/images/...Hi/s-l225.webp

Re: Timing light
 

My Craftsman does, connected to a 12V battery, per their instructions.

Re: Timing light
 

"Really need a deal back one, but no idea if any of them work on 6v."

Means "dial back" of course. Don't know what Habusailor needs.

Have to be careful with digital timing lights. There's a lot of cheap junk being sold. Accuracy and durability are problems.

Having a tach on the light could be a big help. If you really need it.

If you ran a shop and were working on a bunch of different cars that required it, a dial back would be the choice.

Re: Timing light
 

Yep, that would be dial back! :) Unless you have a pully that is marked off in degrees it makes it a lot easier.

Re: Timing light
 

I use my 12V one on my 6V cars - by dragging out a 12V battery to power the timing light. Kind of a pain in the butt, but I haven't found a timing light with dial back, a tach and other modern features that works on both 6V and 12V.

Re: Timing light
 

Not trying to hijack but, can anybody share a brand name and maybe a model # of a new one with the “dial back” feature? As far as quality, I don’t make my living doing this but it would be nice to have a reliable, accurate one that will last for a few years....Thanks,...Mark

Re: Timing light
 

I have an Allen 6 - 12 volt that I purchased in the 50’s - still works very well. Perhaps this can be obtained thru E-Bay.

Re: Timing light
 

Would recommend not buying stuff you don't need, especially tools. If you don't need a dial back, don't buy one.

If you are buying a timing light only to set your initial advance of 2 or 4 degrees, I don't think you need a dial back.

If you want to know the rpm at which full advance, like 26 degrees, comes in, that's a different need.

Know what you're buying and why. There are plenty of videos on the internet that demonstrate how to use a dial timing light ... and why.

Re: Timing light
 

What Hoop said, I was considering mapping out the advance curve. If you don't care about that or total advance you really don't need it. And then on a pre 8ba you don't need a timing light at all if you are staying stock and you don't even have a timing mark on the pully! :)

Re: Timing light
 

I have had two "dial-back" timing lights. One was a Sears Craftsman and I don't remember what the other one was. Both quit working almost as soon as I got them. Can someone recommend one that works well and lasts?

What about a power-pack of "D" cell batteries? I can't believe it takes a lot of power to flash the light and it would be a heck of a lot easier to lug around than a 12 volt battery. What does a xenon strobe need for power? Or are they being supplanted by LED's (like just about everything else). My neighbor has a battery powered timing light; I think it takes two "D" cells and it works well. It's not a dial-back though.

Re: Timing light
 

I've got a 6/12 volt timing light. I know for sure it works on 12 volts and I believe on 6 volts as well but it's been a long time since my p/u was 6 volts. Anyway, anyone who wants it can have it for the cost of the ride. PM me if interested

Re: Timing light
 

buy a snap on one, nit cheap, but good unit.
Lawrie

Re: Timing light
 

This is interesting.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Profo...20(July12_2017)

Re: Timing light
 

I have an Innova dial back light that works great on most of my vehicles. Needs 12 volts and doesn't like the solid core wires in my Flatty. Electrical interference. The instructions say to use a suppression wire on number one for inductive pickup.

Besides the dial back feature, it reads volts, RPM and Dwell. Can be set for number of cylinders and ignition types. Very handy tool.