Set timing w/o a light?

[theronin]

this will be my first journey into setting the timing on a car so this may be a really retarded question, but i have searched to no avail utilizing zilvias fantastic search engine. is there a way to set my time without a timing light? ie, can i just pull the distributor and line everything up to 20 btdc and have my distributor at the no 1 wire. possible? retarded? help? thanks.

[Massimo Power]

u can try...

or you can go to pepboys... buy a timing light for $20... and then not risk blowing your motor...

hrm... lol

[s13boy89]

no you can get it close but not perfect you need a timing light

[DUSANMANDIC]

u can do it it will run fine but wont be dead on i did it a few times.

get the motor to tdc and pull your distributor line up the 2 dots maybe a lil off cause when u put it in it will turn and bolt it in........... start up.

[racepar1]

You need a timing light to correctly set your timing. There is no possible way around that.

[theronin]

thanks for the input guys. yeah, im not gonna risk this shit. ill just go get a timing light tomorrow. thanks again guys.

[sliEighty]

you can go to advanced auto and get one for like 30 and when you bring it back you get the money back...

[!Zar!]

You need a timing light to correctly set your timing. There is no possible way around that.

Not true...

What if you have REALLY fast fingers and a flashlight.

And happen to know the speed you need to click the light on and off.

See, it's possible!

I bet Superman could do it.

Anywho. Op: You need to get one. No way around it.