Be forewarned that the accuracy of any ‘Dial Back’ timing light will need to be checked.  This is easily performed by comparing the results against a conventional timing light.  I have found as much as eight degrees of inaccuracy with those 'modern' timing lights and as little as two degrees of variance would be unacceptable in a high performance application.  Age seems to be a problem with the electronics so that means those timing lights would need to be checked at intervals during their life spans.
 
As an additional caution, ‘Dial Back’ timing lights are not recommended for use where high powered ignition boxes are being used.  In those cases, there is enough EMF being produced to upset the delicate electronics within those state of the art ‘Dial Back’ timing lights and give erroneous readings.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Thanks for the Info. I looked at that One online and it looks like what I am looking for. Good to hear from Someone who has One.I like the split Screen with Tach and Advance. 

  

I have an Innova 3568. My first blast into "modern" timing lights. It is pretty sweet. For instance if your damper only has the TDC mark on it, and it is accurate, you can time anything easily. For instance, if your initial timing is 8 degrees BTDC, just first set your 0 degree timing on the light right on your timing mark. Then adjust the light to 8 degrees, and adjust the distributor again right to your timing mark. When setting total timing, say 36 degrees or whatever...just set the light again to 36 degrees rev up and set again right to the line. No need for timing tape, nothing. So far, it's worked really well for me. I have not put timing tape on and cross-checked its accuracy but I've also not read anything to the contrary about it not being accurate.

Yes, marking the damper will also work.


Lawrenceville, GA

Using your standard timing light, wouldn't this work to measure total advance with it?


Say you expect a total advance of 36 Deg BTDC:
  Measure the distance along the circumference of the crank damper from 0 Deg to 6 Deg.
  Cut a piece of  tape 6 times the length measured above.
  Place one end of  the tape at the 0 Deg mark, wrap the tape around the damper, and place a mark the width of the damper at the other end of the tape.
  Use half the distance from 0 Deg to 6 Deg to make smaller marks before and after the large mark representing 33, 30, 27 and 39, 42, 45 Deg.
Use variations of above as desired.

I just bought one of the newer timing lights with the advance dial from Harbor Freight. It works pretty well, but the dial moves very easily so you have to be careful you don't bump it when you are using it. Also, the lead for the #1 plug wire is like the old coiled phone plug wires and is pretty short. Otherwise it is a good buy for the money.

Rono 

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

Read reviews for the advance timing lights.  If you can get one that is at least consistent with itself, then it will have value because as long as you use that light, you will be able to make changes and know where they are in relation to a base line.  You just won't be able to say definitively where your timing ended up but if proper tuning procedure is used, then it won't matter   The engine will like what it likes and you will find it.  It just may indicate a degree or two off of the actual timing.


Lawrenceville, GA

Thanks Charley I have a regular Light but pretty useless other than setting up basic Timing. I did have a Degree Tape on mine but it disappeared.Been working on my Buddies 56 changing Distributor and Carb. I have put lighter Springs in but it would be helpful to see exactly what is happening at various RPM.and making sure the maximum total Timing is 42 BTDC. On my Post regarding 1848-1 Carb I lucked out and found a good 390CFM Holley locally for $75.00 CDN. So now I am trying to fine Tune the Advance on the Cardone 30-2808 Distributor.

  

Yep. Could also be used as a standard diagnostic / tuning tach.


Lawrenceville, GA

Thanks Charley. I see some of them have Tach and Advance. I assume  that would show amount of advance at  RPM?