Hey
I hope someone can help me out.I have a timing light that has a dial that will allow me to check total timing.My question is this,if I set the dial to 32 deg.and run the eng. to approx 3000 rpm and move the dist. untill the timing mark on the balancer lines up with 0 on the timing tab, does this mean my total timing is set at 32 deg.. The dist. is MSD with no vac. advance.Any help with this would be great.
THANKS
MIKE

Yes, unless you still have more advance coming in after 3000 RPM.

I presume this is a race-only engine since there is no vacuum advance. If not, you're throwing away a lot of part-throttle power, economy, and drivability.

Mike,
Something to keep in mind. If you are using a MSD ignition box, like the 6AL etc, you cannot use a dial back light. I know some guys claim that they do, but MSD states in thier instructions and catalog to use a "plain" non dial back light. I have seen dial back lights be as much as 25 degrees off when used with a MSD ignition system. The multiple sparrks drive the light crazy. I use a 20 year old Sun chrome light and have had no problems.

HEY GUYS
Thanks for the input.The engine is a race only unit.The advance springs are rated to have all timing in by 2800 rpm.BILL,it does have a msd 6A box.I also have a non dial back light. How would I check total timing with a non dial back light ?
THANKS
MIKE

Mike,
With the non dial back light, you have to have a degreed damper or put a timing tape on the damper. It would be interesting to see how much different your two lights read. Try them at idle and let us know.