Cheapest timing light to check timing on a 4.3

[littleape]

Just wondering what kind of timing light I can get away with to check timing on a 4.3 with thunderbolt V.

I see some super cheap ones with no screens or dials, just the light. Would one of those work or do I need something higher end with some kind of adjustment that I need to set to do this.

Thanks

 

[alldodge]

Yes, TBV is point an shoot after placing in base timing mode by grounding (purple/White wire)

 

[littleape]

Yes, TBV is point an shoot after placing in base timing mode by grounding (purple/White wire)

Sounds good, I do have the manual and see the steps but just to verify:

1. Hook up the light to #1 wire
2. Ground purple/white wire
3. Start engine (does it have to warm up?)
4. Point light at timing mark (use white marker if hard to see) to see what it is (Manual says it should be 10 degrees)
5. If required rotate distributor to adjust to whatever degree it should be.

 

[alldodge]

All good and yes let the motor warm up in timing mode. This is also the time to adjust idle speed once warmed up if need be

 

[achris]

You do have an issue to deal with, and it can be done in any one of 3 ways.

The issue is that there are no 'degree' marks on the balancer, just a line, and on the timing cover is a single pointer indicator. When the line and the indicator line up, that's TDC. You need to see 8° BTDC....

Method 1. Purchase an 'advance' timing light, where you 'dial up' an advance and the light will advance or delay the flash accordingly, and you see the marks line up.

Method 2. Buy a simple 'point and shoot' flashing timing light and a length of 'timing tape' for the diameter of you balancer.

Method 3. Measure the diameter of your balancer and use some very simple maths and make your own mark on the balancer....

Chris.....

 

[littleape]

You do have an issue to deal with, and it can be done in any one of 3 ways.

The issue is that there are no 'degree' marks on the balancer, just a line, and on the timing cover is a single pointer indicator. When the line and the indicator line up, that's TDC. You need to see 8° BTDC....

Method 1. Purchase an 'advance' timing light, where you 'dail up' an advance and the light will advance or delay the flash accordingly, and you see the marks line up.

Method 2. Buy a simple 'point and shoot' flashing timing light and a length of 'timing tape' for the diameter of you balancer.

Method 3. Measure the diameter of your balancer and use some very simple maths and make your own mark on the balancer....

Chris.....

Oh, have not looked whats actually there, boat is at the lake 300km away at the moment. Planned on doing this next time I'm there.

So it's 8° not 10 ?

Hmmmm

 

[achris]

Oh, have not looked whats actually there, boat is at the lake 300km away at the moment. Planned on doing this next time I'm there.

So it's 8° not 10 ?

Hmmmm

Most 4.3s are 8, only a few are 10. What is your engine serial number?

 

[Tycer]

Calculator for timing mark.
http://www.csgnetwork.com/timingmarkcalc.html

 

[alldodge]

Agree there might be an issue, but there also may not. Being able to calculate the degree marks is good, but you could also have a damper with timing marks on it. This could be apples and oranges but my BBC is a TBV and has degree markings

 

[Scott Danforth]

measure damper, spend the $3 on timing tape

 

[littleape]

Serial: L662063
Model: 4211015L1

 

[littleape]

Well if I was doing this on my driveway I would play around with the diy markings but since I'll be doing this at the lake I'll just get the light with a degree dial to save time and headaches.

So with the advance light if I set it at 8 degrees and the markings line up the motor is timed 8, if the markings do not line up it's off +/- depending on direction of the offset. Kinda guessed this, have not looked up one of those lights yet

 

[achris]

Take a cheap timing light, a measuring tape and a calculator and a fine white paint pen... Couple of minutes and you can mark the balancer...

(That's what I'd do)

Chris...

 

[alldodge]

I still want to know how a serial number to the motor tells us if it has timing marks on the damper or not?

 

[littleape]

I still want to know how a serial number to the motor tells us if it has timing marks on the damper or not?

Serial: L662063
Model: 4211015L1

 

[achris]

I still want to know how a serial number to the motor tells us if it has timing marks on the damper or not?

I was asking for the serial number to check what the timing should be. The fact that it's TB-V says it's vortec, so it will not have a timing pointer with degrees. Vortec V6s only have the line on the balancer and the single notch on the timing cover....

Chris....

 

[littleape]

I was asking for the serial number to check what the timing should be. The fact that it's TB-V says it's vortec, so it will not have a timing pointer with degrees. Vortec V6s only have the line on the balancer and the single notch on the timing cover....

Chris....

Do you know what diameter the balancer is on these in case I want to grab a timing tape?

​​​I posted the serial and model in couple posts earlier.

 

[scoflaw]

Timing light with a dial are cheap enough at any auto parts store. The timing tape will be difficult to manage and probably won't stick if the balancer isn't clean.

 

[achris]

Do you know what diameter the balancer is on these in case I want to grab a timing tape?

​​​I posted the serial and model in couple posts earlier.

Sorry, don't have access to an engine at the moment. I'm on a work boat between Egypt and Cyprus....

But I can tell you (because I have a computer with all the service manuals on) that the timing is 10°BTDC....

Chris....

 

[achris]

Measure the balancer diameter, multiple that number (in inches) by 0.0871, make a line on the balancer that far from the zero line. Should be about 1/2". That's 10°... Check the timing...

Chris...