Hey guys, just curious about what dial back light you prefer. I was browsin around a bit and Id like to get one, but Id like not to get a junk one. If you guys have any suggestions, that would be great. If its possible, Id also appreciate it if you could list the price(if you know it off hand) for the light in question. Thanks guys.

I just bought a Craftsman, haven't used it much yet.

Craftsman here too, my son and I keep it busy :)

I have an elderly MAC that I bought in '86. As far as I can tell, it is not affected by my MSD-6AL box, either. Seems to be just plain, old accurate. Much brighter that the Craftsman I had before (bought in '77 or thereabouts)

I learned the hard way that you want a timing light that has detachable leads. If the fan eats the cord, you just pop for a cord set, not the whole light.

I've got a Craftsman that works well and the price was right, although I can't remember what it was.

I think I picked up my Craftsman - 4 or so years ago, for something in the neighborhood of 70.00.

Dan

Craftsman dial back here too. That seems to be the consensus whenever this topic comes up. Rugged, reliable, consistent.

If you have a marked balancer or timing tape, would that eliminate the need for a dial-back?

If you have a marked balancer or timing tape, would that eliminate the need for a dial-back?

yes,that is correct

This should of been included in my first question...

Whats better, a dial-back gun or a marked balancer?

What's better? Depends on your needs.

A dial-back light gives you information on the advance curve when using it with any engine--yours, your friends, customer cars, etc.

A marked damper gives you information on the advance curve only on one vehicle--unless of course you plan to move that damper around to different vehicles.

The advantage of the marked damper is that some dial-back timing lights don't work well with multi-spark ignition boxes.

Another alternative--Use a magnetic timing indicator like the Snap-On MT 1480 Lumy/Mag II. Available on eBay for $150--$200 (maybe less if you get lucky.)

Craftsman dial back here, too. Works accurately with MSD ignitions also...not all dial backs do.

As far as the timing tape, Id rather go that route but at the same time not. As of now, I do not know the balancer diameter in my 66 buick with the 300 inch engine. It would be kinda rough to measure in the car, and I havent been able to find anybody that knows the info. So, I dont know the balancer diameter, therefore, I dont know what tape to use. And rather than put a little effort into finding out the diameter(heavens no, I couldnt do that!), I figured its a good enough excuse for me to just invest in a dial back.


On more than one occasion Ive been setting an advance curve for someone elses cars or whatever, so it would be nice to have than handy light instead of getting tape for the balancer each time I mess with something else. Also, I was doing a little reading. A couple sources said the most accurate dial back lights are the MAC lights and the Snap on lights(dial back that is). Anybody know where to get these at a good price as well?..........lets see what the cost looks like compared to a craftsman.

Greg, IMO, the Snap-On and MAC lights of today are really close in appearance and identical in features to this light (http://www.autobarn.net/equ5568.html) . You can get this Equus light online from Checkers/Schucks/Kragen for about $135. Not a bad deal at all. As far as the Craftsman light, I've always had one, but the last one I've had for the past 10 years or so (dialback) I don't trust the dial. When it's dialed to zero, it's at zero. Put it on a balancer with a tape, or an indexed balancer, and check 35*, then try to dial it back to zero, and you come up about 4-5* off. :confused: So I avoid the dialback feature on this one, and use the tape or engraved marks on the balancer.