Hey All,
I have recently installed an MSD coil and am planning to bump the timing, but I don't have a timing light. Please correct me if I'm wrong in thinking that I can just adjust the distributor until I hear pinging and then dial it back a hair. Is the timing light actually required?

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Yea you can do that, make sure its warm, adjust, run it, under low rpm torque, and to the floor, and listen for pinging.

 

You'll want the timing between 10 to 16 bftd, the movement on the distributer will be about a 1/4" or less within that range. Try timing without a light and then go to HF buy a light(about $30), you'll be surprised how far off the timing will be.

If the timing is decent now I wouldn't mess with it without a light.

 

Don't mess with it without using a light. You'd just be asking for trouble. Is the chance of detonation and possibly damaging major components worth saving a few bucks on a timing light?

 

Seriously, just buy a timing light lol

 

Look at this....http://http://www.fullsizebronco.com...ad.php?t=63592

 

you can hear detonation, just bump it back if you do. I agree, no reason not to buy a light, but also no reason you cant adjust it without a light, just sucks getting it back right with no light if you get it off too much, been there before.

 

Messing with timing and not using something to see how much its changing is just a stupid thing to do unless it an emergency and you just need the vehicle to run.

Yes, you can hear detonation. But you get it set where you think its good, then one day you're out and listening to your favorite cd, its kinda loud, you go to pass someone on the highway, and boom you melt a piston top because you got some gas that had a little less octane than what it had before, and the timing was on the edge of too far because a proper light wasnt used to do the adjustment.

Ive fixed several vehicles over the years because people did this. That $30 for a test light now isnt much compared to a few grand for a new engine. Its always ok until suddenly its not. If you have the extra cash to risk, then go for it.

 

Well, here's how I've always done it. Set it to desired timing by a light, run it, listen to detonation, pull it back if I do on the side of the road, keep playing with it till I think it's at a good spot, then recheck with a light. Then the next time I pull something, I listen for detonation then too. Or when the weather changes. Right now mines at 11.5 and seems to do good all year with any type of load.

 

Thanks for all the feedback. It looks like I'll be buying a timing light!

Thanks again for all the help!