Static timing light

[Wuzzlebubba]

Does anybody have a good design for a home-made cheap static timing light (that that seen in the Muir book)?

[72vert]

People ...correct me if I am wrong but the timing should really be set with a timing light, not the static type. Timing with static light can burn up the heads from what I have been told by experienced VW mechanics....right or wrong?

[Bugorsh]

Static timing is a rough timing method used to get the car running, then a strobe type timing light is used to fine tune it to the proper setting. A 12v test light can be used for static timing and can be had very cheap at your FLAPS. Then you will have a tester for other electrical diagnostic work on your car as well, no need to build one.
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[NOVA Airhead]

You can make a static timing light with any 12 volt bulb, a golder and two test leads. Its explained here:

http://www.vw-resource.com/tune-up.html#static
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Ghia Owner Emeritus

[Randy in Maine]

Static timing (other than to get it close enough to start) died for good in 1971 when VW went to a distributors that had a centrifical advance component. Earlier in many cases.

[Cusser]

Any auto parts store should have a 12 volt test light for automotive circuit testing for $4 or less, so just buy one. I have at least three; I usually replace the wire with a thicker one.
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[East Bay Volks]

one length of wire, one alligator clip, one push on connector (female), one extra dash board lightbulb with it's housing.

Solder or otherwise attach alligator clip to one end of wire.
Feed the other end of the wire into a push on connector.
Remove one of your dashboard idiot lights and plug it into the push on connector. Presto---you now have the Official John Muir hippie static timing light for less than $1.

While it is OK in a pinch, they really are sub-optimal.
You can get a decent strobe timing light from Napa for like $40. It is worth it.

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70 Beetle (1987-1990)
69 Bus (1990)
63 Bus (1990-1993)
68 Karmann Ghia (1997-2001)
70 Bug (2001-2006)
67 Beetle (2007-

[webwalker]

that hippie static timing light got me back on the road when I broke down in the middle of the eastern oregon desert, August, 1993. 1971 bus.

I wouldn't recommend it for PRECISION, but to get your late model 1600 back on the road, it literally saved my bacon!

M
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"Consistent maintenance with quality products is the cheapest warranty you'll ever need."
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[DrDarby]

In a pinch you can also watch the points spark, listen for their click.
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Midwest Autosavers, Inc. Crystal Lake, IL

[GA_Boy]

[Joey]

If I static time any of my engines then check them with a timing light, they are spot on (which only makes sense). A timing light is a must for checking the advance.
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Joey

‘60 Kombi - '74 Bus - '79 Panel - '65 Beetle

[volksie boy]

Ga-boy thanks for the input about using the am radio you just saved my hide . got a show to go to sunday and the auto store was closed . and my beetle couldn,t have made it up a hill to make it to wally world . 10 miles away and a bunch of hills. driving it home i could only get up to a speed of 30 cause timing was that bad . I tried the 12 volt testing light just like they did on the bug me video and mine stayed on the whole time , so i turned to the samba search and problem solved . i,ll pick up the timing light on sunday .

[flapjakpat]

Where do you connect the wires on the test light to the motor?

Also, at what frequency do you run the strobe on the timing light?

I can make my own strobe, save me the $40-$80, but I need to know the frequency the light flashes.

Thanks for your help

[Cusser]

[tgsanford]

4.99 ace hardware.
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My VW History:
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71 - Super: 1995 - 1998
74 - Super : 1975 - 1984

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Yes they are a pain in the ass,germany's revenge for the thrashing the allies gave them during the big one.Cheap tinny underpowered kraut windmills,prone to breakdown....Only a fool would own one...

[Cusser]

[flapjakpat]

Awesome, thanks for the help