The Ford Barn

Paul Bennett · 08-30-2017, 11:07 PM

Many won't work on 6v requiring external 12v battery.
Battery 2 D Cell versions are available.
Some don't have a bright light but brightness isn't in the reviews.

What did you recently get and recommend? I'm close to pressing Start.

Please don't recommend something I can't buy today like your super MAC Pro from 30 years ago unless you are willing to sell it cheap.

My carb is due back soon and I've changed the coil I'm convinced was bad and replaced plugs, wires and cap. But it will need timing and my old timing light is dim and 12v only. I've already bought and returned the HF light.

Kahuna · 08-30-2017, 11:14 PM

Paul
I'm also in need of a new light.
Looking forward to some good reviews.
My old light is/was a Craftsman, but not
available anymore.

Dave Castle · 08-30-2017, 11:27 PM

Electronic Specialties Model #130 , works on 6 or 12 volt, bright light, single lead.

Capt Kirk · 08-31-2017, 07:17 AM

If you can't find one that will work with 6 volts, you can hook a 12v light to a spare 12v battery and run it that way. I recently purchased one from AutoZone that shows RPM and has a timing advance button. I've been using it on my 56 which is 12v and it seems to work alright.

http://www.autozone.com/test-scan-an...ght/108152_0_0

D. Jones · 08-31-2017, 08:32 AM

I power mine with a 12 volt power supply intended to run DC powered CB radios and similar things on AC power. Picked mine up at a yard sale. Another thought would be to look at the AC to DC power battery chargers that are used to charge different battery packs or run small items. I'm sure there must be one out there that puts out 12 volt DC at around 1 amp. I use a 6 volt one to charge my small motorcycle battery. Bought it for less than a dollar at a thrift shop.

corvette8n · 08-31-2017, 10:02 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Whatever you end up with mark your pulleys with hard USA made blackboard chalk is has a Fluorescence quality to it.

34fordy · 08-31-2017, 11:11 AM

A couple months ago, I bought an old Schauer 120 volt pencil timing light from roysboystoys on this site--It is more like a skinny flashlight--It is great for either 6 volt or 12 volt as it is powered by the 120 AC--It has an extremely bright light--Actually I bought it to hang on the wall as I thought it was kind of unique--No timing marks on my 34----Don

51504bat · 08-31-2017, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Bennett

Many won't work on 6v requiring external 12v battery.
Battery 2 D Cell versions are available.
Some don't have a bright light but brightness isn't in the reviews.

What did you recently get and recommend? I'm close to pressing Start.

Please don't recommend something I can't buy today like your super MAC Pro from 30 years ago unless you are willing to sell it cheap.

My carb is due back soon and I've changed the coil I'm convinced was bad and replaced plugs, wires and cap. But it will need timing and my old timing light is dim and 12v only. I've already bought and returned the HF light.

I've got this one that I listed for sale on the Barn a while ago.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=205581
I've still got it and I'll take $15.00 for it. I'll be in Oregon in early September and if you're interested we might be able to meet up and save shipping costs. PM me if you're interested.

ursus · 08-31-2017, 12:54 PM

I see old 6-volt timing lights at swap meets for only a few dollars quite often. Check on E-Bay, they are very common and cheap because there isn't much demand. I found a barely used 1950's era Autolite 6-volt unit for only 5 bucks.

Paul Bennett · 08-31-2017, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Castle

Electronic Specialties Model #130 , works on 6 or 12 volt, bright light, single lead.

Found a #130 on eBay for $50 (MSRP $99) supposedly used once. Thanks all and Dave especially for the precise reply. Incidentally a friend mentioned renting a light just after I bought this one. OReilly's has free 3 day rental on tools.

Capt Kirk · 08-31-2017, 05:28 PM

I remember my dad having a timing light when I was a kid (we may still have it somewhere) that had two wires...one snapped onto the spark plug and the other snapped into the wire that was removed from that plug. Don't know what it was but do remember it working good on the 63 bug I was driving back then.

JSeery · 08-31-2017, 05:57 PM

I have used the none external power lights.

oldford2 · 08-31-2017, 06:04 PM

I have a 12 volt battery and a 6 volt battery on my test stand. The 12 volt powers the starter (Helps a new engine spin) and my 12 volt timing light. The 6 volt is used for the ignition. Works fine for me.
John

Bubsyouruncle · 08-31-2017, 09:29 PM

I bought a timing light from Sears ages ago. 12volt negative ground.

It worked like a champ.

Cannot buy a timing light for 6 volt anymore.

Bought a 12/6v volt DC power supply on Amazon for $6+ and wired it up.

My old timing light works like a charm.

Flathead Fever · 09-03-2017, 02:22 PM

I would not buy one unless it has the adjustable timing light feature so you can also check the total advance The initial timing is only the first step in checking timing. I just picked up a really nice one at an estate sale that was only used once by a neurosurgeon that died from brain a tumor. Sun timing lights were good. I'm not sure anybody makes good quality timing lights any more? Buying a used one is risky especially if they have been dropped.

Paul Bennett · 09-03-2017, 05:18 PM

Fever - I've not seen nor used a light with the adjustable feature. How do you use it...set the timing to the mark then what?

flatjack9 · 09-03-2017, 06:39 PM

There is a dial on the timing light that you turn until the pointer lines u p with TDC and read the advance on the readout on the light.

Bubsyouruncle · 09-07-2017, 10:02 PM

I had a 12V light from Sears ages ago. Didn't like 6volt positive ground.

Bought a 12volt DC power supply from (It Shall Not Be Named) for 8 bucks.

Works like a charm, and since it is 120v-12vdc powered, I can run it until ComEd goes out of business.

Paul Bennett · 09-07-2017, 10:10 PM

My ESI 130 arrived today. Recall it uses D cells for power instead of connecting to the vehicle battery. Tried in on my daily driver and sorry to find the light is indeed weak in daylight. But I think it will be adequate for my garaged car. It sure got good reviews. Paid $57 eBay - MSRP is $99

Alaska Jim · 09-07-2017, 10:17 PM

I always use my 12 volt snap-on timing light. I hook the neg. and pos. leads to a spare 12 volt battery sitting on the floor next to my 51 Merc. ( still 6 volt ) and hook the spark plug lead to the Merc. the light does not care where the power is coming from, only that the spark plug clamp is on #1 plug wire. The timing light is the dial back adjustable type.----Jim

08-30-2017, 11:14 PM	#2
Kahuna Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 2,617	Re: Timing Light - Recommendations? Paul I'm also in need of a new light. Looking forward to some good reviews. My old light is/was a Craftsman, but not available anymore.

08-30-2017, 11:27 PM	#3
Dave Castle Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Carmel, Ca Posts: 286	Re: Timing Light - Recommendations? Electronic Specialties Model #130 , works on 6 or 12 volt, bright light, single lead.

08-31-2017, 07:17 AM	#4
Capt Kirk Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Clarkston MI Posts: 830	Re: Timing Light - Recommendations? If you can't find one that will work with 6 volts, you can hook a 12v light to a spare 12v battery and run it that way. I recently purchased one from AutoZone that shows RPM and has a timing advance button. I've been using it on my 56 which is 12v and it seems to work alright. http://www.autozone.com/test-scan-an...ght/108152_0_0 __________________ 35 Ford Cabriolet 56 Chevy Pickup 63 VW Bug Empty wallet

08-31-2017, 08:32 AM	#5
D. Jones Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bend, Oregon Posts: 519	Re: Timing Light - Recommendations? I power mine with a 12 volt power supply intended to run DC powered CB radios and similar things on AC power. Picked mine up at a yard sale. Another thought would be to look at the AC to DC power battery chargers that are used to charge different battery packs or run small items. I'm sure there must be one out there that puts out 12 volt DC at around 1 amp. I use a 6 volt one to charge my small motorcycle battery. Bought it for less than a dollar at a thrift shop.

08-31-2017, 10:02 AM	#6
corvette8n Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 36 miles north of Albany NY Posts: 3,323	Re: Timing Light - Recommendations? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Whatever you end up with mark your pulleys with hard USA made blackboard chalk is has a Fluorescence quality to it.

08-30-2017, 11:07 PM	#1
Paul Bennett Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 628	Timing Light - Recommendations? Many won't work on 6v requiring external 12v battery. Battery 2 D Cell versions are available. Some don't have a bright light but brightness isn't in the reviews. What did you recently get and recommend? I'm close to pressing Start. Please don't recommend something I can't buy today like your super MAC Pro from 30 years ago unless you are willing to sell it cheap. My carb is due back soon and I've changed the coil I'm convinced was bad and replaced plugs, wires and cap. But it will need timing and my old timing light is dim and 12v only. I've already bought and returned the HF light.

08-31-2017, 11:11 AM	#7
34fordy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Fort dodge, Iowa Posts: 1,453	Re: Timing Light - Recommendations? A couple months ago, I bought an old Schauer 120 volt pencil timing light from roysboystoys on this site--It is more like a skinny flashlight--It is great for either 6 volt or 12 volt as it is powered by the 120 AC--It has an extremely bright light--Actually I bought it to hang on the wall as I thought it was kind of unique--No timing marks on my 34----Don

08-31-2017, 12:54 PM	#9
ursus Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,534	Re: Timing Light - Recommendations? I see old 6-volt timing lights at swap meets for only a few dollars quite often. Check on E-Bay, they are very common and cheap because there isn't much demand. I found a barely used 1950's era Autolite 6-volt unit for only 5 bucks.

08-31-2017, 05:28 PM	#11
Capt Kirk Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Clarkston MI Posts: 830	Re: Timing Light - Recommendations? I remember my dad having a timing light when I was a kid (we may still have it somewhere) that had two wires...one snapped onto the spark plug and the other snapped into the wire that was removed from that plug. Don't know what it was but do remember it working good on the 63 bug I was driving back then. __________________ 35 Ford Cabriolet 56 Chevy Pickup 63 VW Bug Empty wallet

08-31-2017, 05:57 PM	#12
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Timing Light - Recommendations? I have used the none external power lights.

08-31-2017, 06:04 PM	#13
oldford2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: pittsfield, MA Posts: 2,087	Re: Timing Light - Recommendations? I have a 12 volt battery and a 6 volt battery on my test stand. The 12 volt powers the starter (Helps a new engine spin) and my 12 volt timing light. The 6 volt is used for the ignition. Works fine for me. John

08-31-2017, 09:29 PM	#14
Bubsyouruncle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Gurnee, Illinois Posts: 272	Re: Timing Light - Recommendations? I bought a timing light from Sears ages ago. 12volt negative ground. It worked like a champ. Cannot buy a timing light for 6 volt anymore. Bought a 12/6v volt DC power supply on Amazon for $6+ and wired it up. My old timing light works like a charm.

09-03-2017, 02:22 PM	#15
Flathead Fever Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,492	Re: Timing Light - Recommendations? I would not buy one unless it has the adjustable timing light feature so you can also check the total advance The initial timing is only the first step in checking timing. I just picked up a really nice one at an estate sale that was only used once by a neurosurgeon that died from brain a tumor. Sun timing lights were good. I'm not sure anybody makes good quality timing lights any more? Buying a used one is risky especially if they have been dropped.

09-03-2017, 05:18 PM	#16
Paul Bennett Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 628	Re: Timing Light - Recommendations? Fever - I've not seen nor used a light with the adjustable feature. How do you use it...set the timing to the mark then what?

09-03-2017, 06:39 PM	#17
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,608	Re: Timing Light - Recommendations? There is a dial on the timing light that you turn until the pointer lines u p with TDC and read the advance on the readout on the light.

09-07-2017, 10:02 PM	#18
Bubsyouruncle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Gurnee, Illinois Posts: 272	Re: Timing Light - Recommendations? I had a 12V light from Sears ages ago. Didn't like 6volt positive ground. Bought a 12volt DC power supply from (It Shall Not Be Named) for 8 bucks. Works like a charm, and since it is 120v-12vdc powered, I can run it until ComEd goes out of business.

09-07-2017, 10:10 PM	#19
Paul Bennett Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 628	Re: Timing Light - Recommendations? My ESI 130 arrived today. Recall it uses D cells for power instead of connecting to the vehicle battery. Tried in on my daily driver and sorry to find the light is indeed weak in daylight. But I think it will be adequate for my garaged car. It sure got good reviews. Paid $57 eBay - MSRP is $99

09-07-2017, 10:17 PM	#20
Alaska Jim Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 1,594	Re: Timing Light - Recommendations? I always use my 12 volt snap-on timing light. I hook the neg. and pos. leads to a spare 12 volt battery sitting on the floor next to my 51 Merc. ( still 6 volt ) and hook the spark plug lead to the Merc. the light does not care where the power is coming from, only that the spark plug clamp is on #1 plug wire. The timing light is the dial back adjustable type.----Jim