Technical Timing light trick???

Years ago we were assembling an engine (forget what its was but 99% sure it was a 350 or 351). When we dropped the dist. in the guy I was working with grabbed the timing light (all wiring was hooked, and powered up, engine not running). He hooked up the light and turned the dist. until the light flashed and then snugged up the dist. When it came time to start the engine this saved having to turn the dist back and forth to get it to fire.
I thought about this the other day when we were assembling a 350. I tried it and couldn't get the light to flash. Could it be the timing light (it is a modern Innova digital light or the fact that it's using a HEI ignition (I would think the reluctor wheel would signal the "points opening" the same way old fashioned points would?? Maybe I need to use an old tech timing light?
Any thoughts? Thanks-

 

That would work with points. In fact, if you have an old Triumph motorcycle from the early mid 60's, the manual tells you to use a small light while rotating the point plate to set the timing. That's how it was for my old TR 250.

 

We used to static time by unhooking the number one wire and putting a plug in it. If engine at TDC we would turn key on and turn distributor til spark jumped across plug.

 

Used to do the same,12v bulb on vw's in the '60s.

 

Yep, I used a test light on VW's.

 

If you are going to do this with a HEI type ignition you have to move the distributer rather quickly in order for the electronics to detect the change as the reluctor wheel passes the pick up. The result is that the timing is only approximate but usually good enough to get the engine to fire.
I haven't tried it with other types of electronic ignition.

 

That worked great! Eliminate the need for the timing light - thanks for the info!!

 

Why not line up the timing marks on the balancer with #1 at TDC, then rotate the distributor (HEI) until the points on the pole piece align, tighten distributor up and start engine.


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Or...in the world of early drag racing...a little black box...called the "buzz box" .
Rather than a light that may be difficult to see in the bright light of outside daytime, a harsh "buzzing" sound that was emitted was pretty easy to hear. Anyone with a magneto had one. I still have mine from years ago racing my Anglia.

Mike

 

With points I use an OHM meter . When the points open , reading changes and lock it down . Done this many times on auto engines . It doesn’t work so well with a Harley with aftermarket cam . Seems to fine until you , jump on the go pedal , and it gives you the reminder of your life it is way to far advanced . Still hobbling around from that move .

 

I use it to find a miss easy to check for spark at each plug saves time.