Hello all,

I'm considering getting the below timing gun that includes a tachometer. Would be curious to know if anyone has used this or a similar set up before and whether it's worth the money.

I'm not quite on the level of judging RPM by ear as some of you seem to be!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Innova-356...000EVYGV4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

I have the digital pro and it's worked well for me. Readings seem consistent and it's easier to check timing and advance with it. I think the pro differs by having dwell settings?

Am I doing something stupid? I got the Innova 3568 but the leads aren't long enough to go from the battery back round to the engine? Do extension cables for the crocodile clips exist?!

Bubins said:

Am I doing something stupid? I got the Innova 3568 but the leads aren't long enough to go from the battery back round to the engine? Do extension cables for the crocodile clips exist?!

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On most strobe-guns, 1 lead goes to 'supply' 1 lead goes to earth and 1 lead clips on No1 plug lead. On MY 'gun' I connect the 'supply' lead to the ignition-switch side of the coil (+ or 15), and the 'earth' to a suitable point on the chassis (or engine). Doing it this way means that all your connections are at the rear of the car. I will concede that my 'gun' is a simple 'gun' and does not have any "timing adjusting" built into it.

Bubins said:

Am I doing something stupid? I got the Innova 3568 but the leads aren't long enough to go from the battery back round to the engine? Do extension cables for the crocodile clips exist?!

Click to expand...

I put the positive on the alternator + terminal and there are various places on the engine for the grounding lead. The main thing is to avoid snagging leads in the fanbelt.

fiat500 said:

I put the positive on the alternator + terminal and there are various places on the engine for the grounding lead. The main thing is to avoid snagging leads in the fanbelt.

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This is the way.

I'm using a dynamo gen. Could I still connect the strobe to this?

All you are looking for is 12V so no reason you couldn't. Just don't short anything out!

Bubins said:

I'm using a dynamo gen. Could I still connect the strobe to this?

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Use the terminal on the coil for the power supply--as I mentioned earlier.

What do you use for an earth point? I remember reading some ideas on the forum before but can't find these now.

Bubins said:

What do you use for an earth point? I remember reading some ideas on the forum before but can't find these now.

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As your engine should have an earthing strap between it and the chassis, the head of any of the timing-chain cover screws/nuts will suffice.

the hobbler said:

As your engine should have an earthing strap between it and the chassis, the head of any of the timing-chain cover screws/nuts will suffice.

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Hi Alex (apologies Simon--got my e-mails mixed up).If you contact me direct-- [email protected] I will answer your question regarding where to connect the timing-light clips.

that does look a nice tool...
will it be available for a loan to us poor people who can only just afford and use a light bulb and a couple of bits of wire....

Bigvtwin996 said:

that does look a nice tool...
will it be available for a loan to us poor people who can only just afford and use a light bulb and a couple of bits of wire....

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Need to spend those Xmas Amazon vouchers on something! I just tried it and it's a fun tool... available to borrow for anyone in south east london!

Incidentally, I read that the ideal advance at 3000rpm is 28 degrees (or a bit more to account for modern fuel and whatever my particular engine feels more comfortable with) - I tested mine and it measured 50 degrees at 3000rpm. I assume this is way too advanced and could be responsible for some of my running issues? Main symptoms are backfiring (I think it's a backfire - more like a "Pffft!" sound) and the engine normally shuts off with the choke fully down.. unless I've been driving for a while, say 20 - 30 mins.

I tried to use the timing gun again.. it seems to be showing the rpm ok but when I use the strobe it doesn't matter what degrees I set on the gun the timing mark stays in the same place. Anyone know why this might be? It worked fine before