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Timing Light Question

 
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leinad



Joined: 19 Sep 2006
Posts: 283
Location: Central Virginia

PostPosted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 9:43 am    Post subject: Timing Light Question Reply with quote

I'm using an INOVA Tach Advance Digital Timing Light and it is acting very eratic. It's the type that has a lead that clamps around the #1 spark plug wire (induction lead). So far I haven't been able to look at the timing except at idle. At idle it looks like it's working OK, showing an advance of a few degrees and an RPM of 750, but as soon as I rev it up the RPMs jump all over the place and I loose the timing mark. I'm using Moroso Super Blue plug wires and have wondered if that's the problem. Perhaps it isn't able to pick the induction through the shielding in the wire. Any ideas?
Dan Dempsey
601XL /Corvair


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n801bh(at)netzero.com
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PostPosted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 1:07 pm    Post subject: Timing Light Question Reply with quote

I am using the same ignition wires. No problem timing my motor. On the timing light the pick up that clamps around the #1 wire is very polarity sensitive. there should be a decal showing plug side, by reversing this the light usually gives an erratic reading. Also if your ignition is a lost spark set up the timing light might be seeing double pulses.. let us know what it takes to get a reliable reading...
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Ben Haas
N801BH
www.haaspowerair.com

-- "leinad" <leinad(at)hughes.net> wrote:
--> Zenith-List message posted by: "leinad" <leinad(at)hughes.net>

I'm using an INOVA Tach Advance Digital Timing Light and it is acting very eratic. It's the type that has a lead that clamps around the #1 spark plug wire (induction lead). So far I haven't been able to look at the timing except at idle. At idle it looks like it's working OK, showing an advance of a few degrees and an RPM of 750, but as soon as I rev it up the RPMs jump all over the place and I loose the timing mark.  I'm using Moroso Super Blue plug wires and have wondered if that's the problem. Perhaps it isn't able to pick the induction through the shielding in the wire. Any ideas?
Dan Dempsey
601XL /Corvair

--------
Scratch building XL with Corvair Engine


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[quote][b]


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leinad



Joined: 19 Sep 2006
Posts: 283
Location: Central Virginia

PostPosted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 5:52 pm    Post subject: Re: Timing Light Question Reply with quote

Ben,
Thanks a million. I just got through rereading my instruction booklet and it doesn't mention the polarity. I also just looked closer at the induction pickup and sure enough there's a little arrow with the word "plug" engraved on the pickup (hard to see). There's even a trouble shooting section that fails to mention it. I'm sure that's it. I had already eliminated the blue plug wire theory by taking one of the old original wires and running it to the #1 plug, and it behaved the same way. Again, thanks.. You're the man!
Dan Dempsey
601XL/Corvair Plans build

Quote:

[quote="n801bh(at)netzero.com"]I am using the same ignition wires. No problem timing my motor. On the timing light the pick up that clamps around the #1 wire is very polarity sensitive. there should be a decal showing plug side, by reversing this the light usually gives an erratic reading. Also if your ignition is a lost spark set up the timing light might be seeing double pulses.. let us know what it takes to get a reliable reading...
do not archive
Ben Haas
N801BH
www.haaspowerair.com

-- "leinad" <leinad> wrote:
--> Zenith-List message posted by: "leinad" <leinad>

I'm using an INOVA Tach Advance Digital Timing Light and it is acting very eratic. It's the type that has a lead that clamps around the #1 spark plug wire (induction lead). So far I haven't been able to look at the timing except at idle. At idle it looks like it's working OK, showing an advance of a few degrees and an RPM of 750, but as soon as I rev it up the RPMs jump all over the place and I loose the timing mark. �I'm using Moroso Super Blue plug wires and have wondered if that's the problem. Perhaps it isn't able to pick the induction through the shielding in the wire. Any ideas?
Dan Dempsey
601XL /Corvair

--------
Scratch building XL with Corvair Engine


Read this topic online here:

http://forums.matroni================================================nbsp; (And Get Some -Matt Dralle======================== - The Zenith-List========================================================================================================


_____________________________________________________________
It's never too old to date. Senior Dating. Click Here.


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Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

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leinad



Joined: 19 Sep 2006
Posts: 283
Location: Central Virginia

PostPosted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 6:32 am    Post subject: Re: Timing Light Question Reply with quote

Ben,
Hooking up the backward induction pickup was the problem. If I hook it up correctly (arrow toward the plug), and hold the pickup well away from other wires it works good. Thanks.
Dan

Quote:
n801bh(at)netzero.com"]I am using the same ignition wires. No problem timing my motor. On the timing light the pick up that clamps around the #1 wire is very polarity sensitive. there should be a decal showing plug side, by reversing this the light usually gives an erratic reading. Also if your ignition is a lost spark set up the timing light might be seeing double pulses.. let us know what it takes to get a reliable reading...
do not archive
Ben Haas
N801BH
www.haaspowerair.com

-- "leinad" <leinad> wrote:
--> Zenith-List message posted by: "leinad" <leinad>

I'm using an INOVA Tach Advance Digital Timing Light and it is acting very eratic. It's the type that has a lead that clamps around the #1 spark plug wire (induction lead). So far I haven't been able to look at the timing except at idle. At idle it looks like it's working OK, showing an advance of a few degrees and an RPM of 750, but as soon as I rev it up the RPMs jump all over the place and I loose the timing mark. �I'm using Moroso Super Blue plug wires and have wondered if that's the problem. Perhaps it isn't able to pick the induction through the shielding in the wire. Any ideas?
Dan Dempsey
601XL /Corvair

--------
Scratch building XL with Corvair Engine


Read this topic online here:

http://forums.matroni================================================nbsp; (And Get Some -Matt Dralle======================== - The Zenith-List========================================================================================================


_____________________________________________________________
It's never too old to date. Senior Dating. Click Here.


- The Matronics Zenith-List Email Forum -
 

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Zenith-List

_________________
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