I've used a timing light that adv. /ret. timing jst by a press of a button on the timing light. how does the light do that without touching the distrubutor?

also, how do you know how many degree of adv/ret. u have?

 

there is no timing light that can do that unless you know magic. you have to adjust the distributor to change timing. the timing light tells you how many degrees of adv/ret you have. if you have one w/a **** on the back of it, turn it til the light flashes in sync with the flywheel pointer or crank pulley arrow.

 

You should get a manual and follow its procedure if you are unsure.

 

Timing lights like you mentioned, allow for a more accurate setting. When you use a non adjustable gun, and want, say 12 degrees timing, it's pretty much a guess, because there is no marking on the crank pulley for 12 degrees.

So, you set the gun at 12 degrees, and line up the TDC mark on the crank pulley with the timing mark on the cover.

 

so if I don't have a timing light, how much should I turn the distrubtor for a 3 degree adv?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by david90 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so if I don't have a timing light, how much should I turn the distrubtor for a 3 degree adv?</TD></TR></TABLE>1.5 degrees.

But since you don't have a timing light, you aren't really sure where you're starting from. And good luck actually measuring a rotation of 1.5 degrees.

Adjusting timing without a timing light is like adjusting valve clearance without feeler gauges.
Or like doing electrical troubleshooting without a DMM...

 

know any good tl with adv feature but for home mechanic? By that I mean cheap tl. I probably won't be using it a lot so i don't need a fancy expensive ones.