John Burns Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 Hey guys- looking for suggestions... when I'm setting my total the timing is jumping around. For the most part it appears to stay at 36°, but then it'll jump all over the place. I have a MSD 6A, MSD distributor (no vac) and I'm using a Craftsman timing light with a dial. I'm chasing a pinging at the top of 2nd and 3rd and I'm wondering if this is related. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc8oye Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 Some Timing lights have a real problem with the MSD's multiple spark system. funny enough, it seems like it's the better quality one that do. Is your MSD distributor a 'ready to run' (it can run w/o the msd box?) if it is, it'd be best to bypass the msd box while you set your timing.. otherwise, you need a less senstive timing light.. I had the same problem before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Burns Posted November 24, 2010 Author Share Posted November 24, 2010 I've heard that too about the MSD... crazy. Unfortunately, the distributor is not a ready-to-run. Does anyone have a light (brand) they use with a MSD ignition? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 I use my 15 year old Snap-On dial back light with mine and don't have any issues.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy's Auto Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 I use my 15 year old Snap-On dial back light with mine and don't have any issues.. Hate like hell to do anyone like this but Had my Snap On light for well over 20 years and the MSD bows to its power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam (Bones) Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 I love your way of words Andy my 25+ year old crapsman handles mine just fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc8oye Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 my $20 Harbor Freight timing light does great with it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyDavey Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 my $738 light has no issues.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc8oye Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 i think it's actully that some lights are sensitive enough that they will trigger multiple times on the MSD's multipe sparks... making the timing appear to jump around. I found with some lights I could just ignore the timing moving around and work on the most extreme reading I was getting.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy's Auto Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 my $738 light has no issues.... Yeah, you might be taking this hobby just a little too serious.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyDavey Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 Originally Posted By: Reds72WMonte my $738 light has no issues.... Yeah, you might be taking this hobby just a little too serious.... yeah but it's chrome with pearl handles...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc8oye Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 Originally Posted By: Reds72WMonte my $738 light has no issues.... Yeah, you might be taking this hobby just a little too serious.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyDavey Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 Originally Posted By: Andy's Auto Originally Posted By: Reds72WMonte my $738 light has no issues.... Yeah, you might be taking this hobby just a little too serious.... it was....uh....you know......a joke!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc8oye Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Burns Posted December 13, 2010 Author Share Posted December 13, 2010 Update... ah ha- not the timing light! I pulled the distributor today and found the "stop bushing" had fallen out. I have an old MSD 8461 (they made them from GM cores I think) and the bushing hangs on a peg retained by a c-clip. Anyway... put the bushing back in and the timing was rock solid. Now to undo all of the little tweaks I did trying to correct this issue- of course it is raining and will be in the teens tomorrow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.