Diagnostic Tach or Timing Light with Tachometer

[basstrix]

My 35 year old craftsman timing light works fine and has the advance dial but I don't have a diagnostic tach to go along with it. I'm considering either a timing light with a tach or a stand alone tach.

What do you guys use for a tach when checking timing curve or maybe adjusting mixture (I use vacuum for mixture)?

 

[Hemikiller]

I have an old OTC automotive digital multimeter with tach and dwell functions. If you have an MSD, be aware they don't play well with some digital timing lights.

 

[giantpune]

I've got an adjustable timing light that lets you dial in the advance. Its got a tach and dwell and stuff like that.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/INO-5568
I do have a cheap standalone tach. one of those 2" units with the 3-4 wires. I usually just use the timing light when screwing with the carb, tough.

 

[basstrix]

I've got an adjustable timing light that lets you dial in the advance. Its got a tach and dwell and stuff like that.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/INO-5568
I do have a cheap standalone tach. one of those 2" units with the 3-4 wires. I usually just use the timing light when screwing with the carb, tough.

That light is one under consideration...only drawback I see so far is that it doesn't work with MSD. Both Hemikiller and the manufacturer have noted it.
What is the readability of your cheap standalone tach? I'm seeing some of them that only display to 100 RPM.

 

[giantpune]

That light is one under consideration...only drawback I see so far is that it doesn't work with MSD. Both Hemikiller and the manufacturer have noted it.
What is the readability of your cheap standalone tach? I'm seeing some of them that only display to 100 RPM.

Yeah, its a dial type. There only enough room for tick marks every 100 RPM. You could read it like a tape measure and count the spaces between the tick marks, too, which gives you 50RPM granularity. If you want more than that, you'd probably have to go with a digital display.

 

[c9zx]

Perhaps a photo/laser tach with reflective tape on the damper. Chuck

 

[will e]

I have a dial back timing light with a tachometer. Digital output. I like this setup because I can move the pickup to each spark plug wire and verify that the RPM range is consistent. It can help to troubleshoot bad wires, plugs, etc.