Chevy & GMC Vans

I've been having trouble with my timing. Timing lights are about $40 and up, and nobody I know has one I could borrow. I've heard a LOT of good about one particular shop- prices are cheap, they don't lie about stuff, etc. I figured I would drop in, have it timed by them and pay MAYBE $30 for it.

So first of all, I know a bit about engines. I do all my own wrenching unless I don't have the right tools or something like that. These people thought I was born yesterday. They tried to tell me that they would have to "take it all apart" to get it timed. I figured they thought I was a moron, so I said "I just re-did the intake manifold gaskets, the only reason I can't time it myself is because I don't have a timing light."

They tried harder to get my money. They tried to convince me that because of the work I did to it, it would be EVEN HARDER for them to time it. They wanted about $100 to do a simple job and they tried to tell me that it would take HOURS. On top of that, after I refused, they tried to convince me that the only parts store in town was a ripoff, and they also recommended that I go to another mechanic- who is notorious for being the most over-priced mechanic in town.

Fortunately, my dad knew someone who could time it by ear- which I was kinda wary of at first, but I figured I had nothing to lose- and he did it for free and it runs as good or better than it did when we first bought it. All's well that ends well, I suppose.

Untrustworthy mechanics, you say? Hmmm. It would be best for me not to get started.

O.K., I can't help it. To your credit, you recognized what was going down, and walked away. The one thing Astrosafarivans member have in common, is we have all been there and don't want to go there again. I say "Justice has prevailed and "..... uh...O.K., it looks like I'm loosing it again. Glad to hear you didn't go for it and it all worked out ok. But, do keep your eye out for a timing light or a friend with one. Just one or two degrees off may cost you at the gas pump.

I don't doubt your story, but realize you probably aren't going to get any legitimate repair shop to time your vehicle for $30. I haven't been to any shop in years that charges less than $50 an hour, and most shops are going to at least charge you an hour's labor. (If you have a trusted mechanic you use regularly, they might let you slide. But being a new customer, I doubt it.)

Query

If you were willing to spend $30 on a mechanic then why didn't you take the leap to spend $40 on a timing light ?

I always like to have tools in my draw for future use so I don't have to depend on others.

Most auto parts stores have ones you can "borrow" with a deposit that gets refunded. You can put it on a credit card.

We checked out the parts store- they don't loan out timing lights. Also, the reason I would spend $30 to time it and not $40 to get that light is because we're flat broke and every dollar counts... We're also trying to get out of the house we're living in right now... It's a long story, the point of it is we can't afford to buy anything we don't need, or, for that matter, anything we DO need if it's more than $5-$10. That's why I have so many "I ran out of gas" stories- no money, no gas, but we still need to get around.

I wish I lived close enough to bring my light over and help ya out JT.
Glad you got it close enough for now.

Timing lights are pretty simple devices, I wonder out loud if there might be schematics available on the net, that an industrious young person be able might use to their advantage, as time & money permits?

Theoretically, the voltage from the coil should be enough to illuminate any fluorescent bulb. Just take apart a CFL, connect one terminal to the dizzy, one to ground and voila.

I don't know if a cfl would turn on and off fast enough. Try the highschool auto shop. When I was in school we were always looking for something to work on. Maybe a buddy could time it for you with the help of the shop teacher. Usually doing it by ear will have it really close.

I looked it up... I found a number of things about it, and most of them say that LEDs are perfect for this. I can probably get a bunch of LEDs for under $1. I have a bunch of wire already, and my dad has a soldering iron. This should be pretty simple.

This seems to be a good design.

Please post pics! Only thing I might add is this, be careful, insulate everything, the jolt from the coil is unnerving, especially when it straightens you up and your head hits the hood(please don't ask how I know). Also, you will be working close to the fan in motion so keep the wires and light away from the fan which can be dangerous(please don't ask how I know). Good luck.

X2 Good Advice Crank88. I dint need to ask, I feel your pain, Lol...
And x2 on the Post Pix as well !

thanks for not asking.

Actually, I am a bit curious about the wires and the fan. You can tell us a detailed story, but I'm sure it won't be as good as a video of the incident