I hook a timing light up to each of my trailing plug wires and the flashing I get is nice and steady, albeit less frequent than the flashing from my leading plug wires.

The flashing I get from my leading plug wires looks like it's missing a beat every so often. It's not perfectly steady and I seriously think it should be.

What up with that?

 

I would say no problem. Inductive timing lights will give inconsistent readings with this ignition.

 

Rust,
I have no explanation, but it happens on the two cars I have timed.
I would guess the flashes occur quicker than my (cheap) timing light can recover, so you only see the timing mark every so often; good enough to time the engine though.

Anyone ever put a 'scope on their pickup to see what kind of a signal is sent to the timing light?
Dave

 

I've used a logic probe to prove the seemingly-inconsistant-ignition-misfiring is due to the fact that the induction timing light doesnt pick it up properly.

So, it's not a problem. It's normal. And the expensive timing lights are even worse (used a mac tools digital one...).

 

OK good, because the car certainly feels good driving it. Thanks.

 

I see that all the time. Its a timing light issue. Usually one of the LEAD plugs will show a steady light whereas the other LEAD will stutter. I found that IF I reverse the timing lights clamp on that wire, the light will now be a steady light but now the other wire will show irregular if I attach the timing light clamp to it in the same way.

My cheap timing lights clamp has an arrow that say *spark plug that away*. I'm talking about making that arrow on the clamp point towards the coil assy instead of the sparkplug.