Ignition Timing Issues

[whrdnsx]

I bought a New Snap-On Timing light, the $450 one. the first time I tried it the Timing seemed close enough at 13 degrees but the Tacho function showed about 5500 rpm which obviously was incorrect. I returned the Timing Light to the Snap On Dealer to get checked out.

Just got the Timing light back the other day & now the Tacho Function is spot on but the timing shows abot 50 degrees at Idle. I don't really trust it now. Would the engine run with this much advance?

Has anyone had similar problems with the Snap On Timing light? What brand do the dealers use?
Engine seems to start & run fine.

How much timing adjustment is available using the adjuster.
Does the NSX use Wasted Spark or is the Coil firing sequential?
Thanks

 

[Tom239]

See this thread.

Also-- I have one of these and it doesn't give consistent readings with my NSX.

 

[NSXTech]

I have have found only one accurate way to check timing. I have the same 500. Snap On lite, and when I first started using it, it seemed like even when it was reading correct, it was never steady enough to read within 4 degrees.I could not get a consistent reading within the +/- 2 degree marks. This made me nervous about being at least 4 degrees off. Devin shared this technique with me- I removed the (number1) coil, and installed an Integra wire (or any wire with a deep thru-the-valve-cover reach) onto the plug. I stuffed the other end of the wire into the coil and hooked my inductive pickup to the wire. The timing reading was dead steady. I was using an AEM ECU the first time I did this, and was able to use the ecu program to move the timing mark one degree at a time, and could see these tiny changes on the crank pulley.
I've set up many AEM's since, and usualy do a before and after check just for S&G's, and the difference is always remarkable.
The service loop by the igniter just doesn't cut it.

HTH,
MB

 

[whrdnsx]

Thanks for the Info, I Figured that buying the Best Timing light would earn it's price overall, But I guess you don't always get what you pay for!