I'm working on setting the timing on my flathead. It has a converted vertex magneto and I've tried to set the timing and read the rpms with a digital timing light. However when I try, the gun works for about 10 seconds and dies. I've tried two different guns but no luck. How do you set timing on a magneto driven 8BA flathead, any suggestions?
I have an 8BA with a vertex mag in my 36 coupe, and have no problems checking the timing with an advance timing light, have you tried hooking onto a different ignition lead other than # 1 to see if the timing light keeps operating maybe you have an issue with # 1 cylinder not firing.
Thanks Cully. I'd give it a shot but the timing light flat lined after I hooked it up. Absolutely no power to the gun. Same thing happened to a new out of the box gun. That's why I'm lost...will try again tomorrow though on a different lead. Never know.
I have had similar issues in the past where I thought my timing light was playing up, but the problem was # 1 spark plug was only firing intermittently once it got warm. Connecting your timing light to each lead one at a time as close to the plug as possible and checking that you have a good regular flash from your timing light is a good way to see if all your plugs are firing, from there you can work out if you have a faulty plug or lead.
Rf interference to the timing light. I have the same problem. Solid core wires and a magnet spinning gives a signal a lot of timing lights hate. The expensive Mac and snap-on lights are of little use. Especially if they are digital. A craftsman analog dial back(the older ones are more desire able) . The mark stays rock steady. Another trick a buddy of mine use to use is he would hook a light up then another light to the clamp wire of the first one to get far away to get a clean signal and use the second light to time. I haven't tried this but I can tell you if McNally said it,it will work. Msd has a timing light they claim will work also,as a multi spark will react similarly .
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