Need recommendation for timing light.

[Texsardo]

1978 Spider 1800, OK, seem to have everything static timed after ordeal of replacing timing belt. Just like everyone else.
But, I am leaving the crappy yellow, melted, warped, etc timing cover off. Problem. How do I set timing without the timing marks on the plastic cover. I don,t want to take everything off again after timing done. What a pain in the first place.
I do not have any other reference marks for timing at TDC, 5BTDC and 10BTDC. Is there a plate somewhere I can buy and bolt onto engine with markings? Or is there a timing light that will allow me to make settings without marks for pulley white mark to align to? This photo was taken slightly beneath so holes look slightly out of line but it is just the angle.

Probably a better view. Excuse the unfinished paint scheme.

This shows a little better the alighnment. You can barely see white mark on crank pulley at bottom on upper right of pulley.
The accessory pulley is as close as I can judge to the proper alignment and you can see the cam marks which I hope are close.
So any ideas on timing lights. The distributor with dual points has not been moved.
Texsardo

[baltobernie]

I think you have two choices: Put the cover back on temporarily, and manufacture a pointer yourself to indicate zero, five and 10 degrees, or do what I did ... cut the plastic cover, keeping only the bottom portion with the timing marks.





I guess there is a third option; replace the crank pulley with one from a 2L motor. Install a pointer from the same motor. The pulley mark and pointer are on the right side of the motor in these cars.

There are also timing lights with a dial on the back, calibrated in degrees. If you don't own any timing light, this would be the one to get, as it is useful in determining distributor advance on your particular engine. For basic timing purposes, you'd still need a zero mark and pointer somewhere, however.

[Texsardo]

Damn, slap me silly. Such a simple fix. Looks like this is the way to go for me. Do you have a brand name in mind for the timing light you mentioned?
Texsardo

[baltobernie]

http://www.harborfreight.com/timing-lig ... 40963.html
Not sturdy enough for everyday use, so be careful with the leads and pickup. If you go with a Pertronix module, or a fully digital ignition, you'll need to time the engine only rarely.

Timing covers are there for a reason, so leave your bolo tie in the drawer, Tex, when you're working on the car

[bradartigue]

Scrape that paint off of the mating surface of your coolant T before you put it all back together. Leak city.

[Texsardo]

I did not paint the whole T, masked it off before painting. The hose covers just about 1/16" of the edge of paint. Same with the inline thermostat.
As a WTF situation, could not find anyone in the local area that wanted to tackle the job of checking out my radiator. They were afraid it was too old, would need re-core, would not be held responsible if it leaked because of it's age, blah, blah. No leaks, fins in excellent shape. Only problem was the support bracket on one side was loose at top. So ordered a new one for only $175.00. Heck, a radiator shop that would work on my radiator would probably charge over $125.00 to fix bracket, clean and paint. What a deal. No reason for this in this thread. Just thought I would put it out there.
Texsardo

[Texsardo]

Sorry, forgot to answer original recommendation. Don't worry, I clean the face of the T base completey with 1500 grit before applying tacky and new gasket. Put in old radiator until new one arrives. Took for a test run. No leaks anywhere. It fired up after 4 weeks down without a normal 4 pumps of gas. I am amazed that after having everything off the front, realigning cam, accessory, main crank pulleys and new tension bearing that it started. Since I cleaned "Dante's" (it's new name) engine and compartment, made sure all grounds were solid, put in new hi power halogen lights and wiring harness with 2 relays and painted a lot of black and red, it runs like a bat out of hades. Next I get to swap out transmission from another forum member that had all gears working before he removed it. Will take it apart anyway and follow shop book to check and replace anything it needs. That will probably be a new thread for info on other threads covering that.
Thanks for the advice and concern. Forum rocks.
Texsardo