Proper timing equipment?

[Dane Rickford]

Hey guys, I’m looking into getting my own equipment to time my 94 idit with, and I am wondering what the best and easiest to work with equipment there is for timing these engines. I’ve done a lot of research, and have been rewarded with confusion
What setup do you guys use and recommend getting?

 

[Philip1]

If you can find a used snap on mt257 diesel timing adapter or a ferret timing adapter that would be the easiest to use. Snap on mt480 is a Luminosity probe which has the accessories of mt88a, mt160 and mt161. Mt88a is the probe itself and the mt160 and 161 are the threaded adapters which go into the glowplug plug hole.

 

[nelstomlinson]

The only thing that I am pretty sure you can get new is the Draf Industries one. It's pretty close to the ZTSE-4142 that the Navistar manual recommends.
Here are the manual pages (Now rotated for easy reading):

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And here are a couple of shots of the timing unit:

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I got the timing device new on ebay a while back, haven't made a chance to use it yet. They sell this for use with the military's HMMVs.

 

[Dane Rickford]

If you can find a used snap on mt257 diesel timing adapter or a ferret timing adapter that would be the easiest to use. Snap on mt480 is a Luminosity probe which has the accessories of mt88a, mt160 and mt161. Mt88a is the probe itself and the mt160 and 161 are the threaded adapters which go into the glowplug plug hole.

I found this old snap on mt480 on EBay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/324044391104
I think it is complete with accessories, but I will have to check into that.
I found a Ferret unit as well, but I don’t know if it is compatible
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ferret-Ins...-Light-Gun-Tested-working-order-/184553323695

 

[Philip1]

That ferret looks like its just a timing light. The diesel adapter is different

 

[Dane Rickford]

That ferret looks like its just a timing light. The diesel adapter is different

That what I thought. I access to a light, so I think I just need to find an adapter somewhere

 

[Dane Rickford]

Will this Gunson adapter work for our 7.3s?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gunson-77089-Diesel-Adaptor-For-Timing-Lights-/281589394900

 

[Philip1]

I tried one of those, im not sure if I was doing something wrong or if I got a dud, but I could never get it to be consistent when I tried.

 

[Dane Rickford]

I think I’m going to rent one of Gary’s timing kit rentals for now until I find a deal on my own kit

 

[Shadetreemechanic]

The only thing that I am pretty sure you can get new is the Draf Industries one. It's pretty close to the ZTSE-4142 that the Navistar manual recommends.
Here are the manual pages (Now rotated for easy reading):

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And here are a couple of shots of the timing unit:

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I got the timing device new on ebay a while back, haven't made a chance to use it yet. They sell this for use with the military's HMMVs.

I too bought one of these on ebay. They work great once you get the crank probe in place. That can be a PITA

 

[1mouse3]

I got a pulse adaptor sometime back that is used with a timing light, I have yet to use it. How well do these types work out and is timing ofset from spec any?

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[TahoeTom]

The pulse adapter triggers your timing light when #1 injector gets fuel injected. You need an adjustable advance timing light to dial in the degree of advance you want.

 

[1mouse3]

The pulse adapter triggers your timing light when #1 injector gets fuel injected. You need an adjustable advance timing light to dial in the degree of advance you want.

How far advance is this taking the reading of injection pulse over reading cylinder compression?

 

[TahoeTom]

Not sure I understand your question. The front damper has a groove in it and the timing cover has a line with a "0" aligned with the lower tube. When the "0" and the groove are lined up #1 and #4 are at TDC. Our timing is advanced so the injection is some degree before TDC. To change timing the injection pump needs to be rotated. To rotate pump the three mounting screws on the gear cover need to be loosened. Don't attempt to do this while engine is running, so it a bit of trial and error. The timing should be set at 2000 rpm if using a pulse adapter. The pulse adapter sends a signal that a timing light can read as if it was a gasser signal from a spark plug. An advance timing light can be set to whatever degree of advance you want, like 8 degrees. With that advance set on the light, and the engine at 2000 rpm the groove on the damper and the "0" on the plate will be aligned if timing is correct. If not, shut down, loosen IP, rotate a small amount, retighten IP and check again. Here is one way to hold 2000 rpm. My light has a tach so that is helpful.

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[quickster]

I got tired of searching for a tach n time and whatnot, so I picked up this.
Sealey TL95 Timing Light Diesel Converter Boxon Amazon. You need an adjustable advance timing light, but you need one anyway if you work on any kind of vehicles. It works.