Older MSD timing light

Woodfin · 07-28-2024, 09:11 AM

Ed, It is at least 30 and maybe closer to 40. One of the mechanics who worked for me had the Snap-On light, so I will see if it is available to compare.

340Cuda · 07-28-2024, 11:38 AM

Ed, we are the same age and I know my eyes are not as sensitive to light as they once were.

If it is a self powered timing light those never seemed very bright to me in the first place.

Woodfin · 07-28-2024, 12:29 PM

The car battery powers the light. My question remains: Does age affect the bulb's brightness? It thinks it was brighter years ago, but so were my eyes.

Terry Cain · 07-29-2024, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 340Cuda

Ed, we are the same age and I know my eyes are not as sensitive to light as they once were.

If it is a self powered timing light those never seemed very bright to me in the first place.

Caterac surgery helps.

CMcAllister · 07-29-2024, 10:39 PM

I have one of the older chrome MSD lights, same as the old Sears Penskes, and it still works great. Has to be 40 years old. Very bright. But it's not used everyday.

I would think the amount of use would be more relevant than age. Plenty of those old lights on ebay all the time. Even an NOS MSD light on there recently. Even the old Ferrets on there sometimes,

To answer the question, I've never seen a 12V timing light get dim as it ages. If they fail, they just wont work.

1320racer · 07-30-2024, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 340Cuda

Ed, we are the same age and I know my eyes are not as sensitive to light as they once were.

If it is a self powered timing light those never seemed very bright to me in the first place.

63 today and my MSD self powered light is bright and has been in use since 2008 without issue.

Adger Smith · 07-30-2024, 11:07 AM

Is there anyone that repairs the older lights. I have one of the older Chrome Sears lights that a customer dropped in our dyno cell and it han't worked since. I've had it in the too box for quite a while..I keep thinking someone is around that is a Fixer upper like me..

CMcAllister · 07-30-2024, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adger Smith

Is there anyone that repairs the older lights. I have one of the older Chrome Sears lights that a customer dropped in our dyno cell and it han't worked since. I've had it in the too box for quite a while..I keep thinking someone is around that is a Fixer upper like me..

For what they sell for on ebay, buy an old mint condition one and a couple of spares. As they dry up, the prices are creeping up.

Maybe one that's not mint and rob parts to fix what you have.

1320racer · 07-31-2024, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMcAllister

For what they sell for on ebay, buy an old mint condition one and a couple of spares.

not worth the time and effort.

Larry my advice is to buy the MSD self powered timing light #8991, $222 +tax from Summit Pro shop.

Signman · 07-31-2024, 09:54 AM

Every light source begins to degrade from first day of use. The difference is speed of degradation and amount use.

07-28-2024, 09:11 AM	#1
Woodfin Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kilgore TX Posts: 540 Likes: 8 Liked 288 Times in 109 Posts	Re: Older MSD timing light Ed, It is at least 30 and maybe closer to 40. One of the mechanics who worked for me had the Snap-On light, so I will see if it is available to compare.

07-28-2024, 11:38 AM	#2
340Cuda VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 1,675 Likes: 3,884 Liked 805 Times in 341 Posts	Re: Older MSD timing light Ed, we are the same age and I know my eyes are not as sensitive to light as they once were. If it is a self powered timing light those never seemed very bright to me in the first place.

07-28-2024, 12:29 PM	#3
Woodfin Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kilgore TX Posts: 540 Likes: 8 Liked 288 Times in 109 Posts	Re: Older MSD timing light The car battery powers the light. My question remains: Does age affect the bulb's brightness? It thinks it was brighter years ago, but so were my eyes.

07-29-2024, 10:39 PM	#5
CMcAllister Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Fulton County, PA Posts: 616 Likes: 17 Liked 920 Times in 259 Posts	Re: Older MSD timing light I have one of the older chrome MSD lights, same as the old Sears Penskes, and it still works great. Has to be 40 years old. Very bright. But it's not used everyday. I would think the amount of use would be more relevant than age. Plenty of those old lights on ebay all the time. Even an NOS MSD light on there recently. Even the old Ferrets on there sometimes, To answer the question, I've never seen a 12V timing light get dim as it ages. If they fail, they just wont work. Last edited by CMcAllister; 07-30-2024 at 01:29 AM.

07-30-2024, 11:07 AM	#7
Adger Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texarkana Ark/TX Posts: 2,446 Likes: 575 Liked 880 Times in 311 Posts	Re: Older MSD timing light Is there anyone that repairs the older lights. I have one of the older Chrome Sears lights that a customer dropped in our dyno cell and it han't worked since. I've had it in the too box for quite a while..I keep thinking someone is around that is a Fixer upper like me.. __________________ Adger Smith (Former SS)

07-31-2024, 09:54 AM	#10
Signman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lower Slower Delaware Posts: 535 Likes: 22 Liked 269 Times in 99 Posts	Re: Older MSD timing light Every light source begins to degrade from first day of use. The difference is speed of degradation and amount use. __________________ Frank Ferrucci I/SA 1271 "Be Thankful for the Gifts You are Given"