TUNE-UP

[EDI]

I finally finished putting my '53 M37 back together. Engine runs well but won't make full power. I will be doing a tune up, but I have a 12v timing light and dwell/tachometer, can and how can I make it work with the 24v system with the waterproof wiring? Also I posted new pictures in the photo gallery under Ed how do you attached them to the posting. Thanks. Ed

[powerwagontim]

Ed,
You can use a 12 volt timing light but you need to connect it to a seperate 12 volt battery. In the electrical adapter kits that are flaoting around out there, there is an adapter which connects between the #1 plug and its wire, and has a few inches of regular spark plug wire to slip the timing light pickup over. Worked well for me.
Tim

[cuz]

Just park your 12 volt civvy driver right next to the M and connect the two power leads on your timing light to that car's battery.Or open the windshield and run the lite's two power wires to the battery that is grounded directly to chassis ground.


This is the test lead kit and the little bugger at the lower left corner is for the spark plug.


Here's the three ignition pieces in position.


Here's the three little buggers out in the open.

[EDI]

Thanks for the advice, going to call Midwest tomorrow for a adapter. Ed

[cuz]

If you shop a little you can buy the whole kit for less than $80.

[ZGjethro]

Cuz, I hooked my 12v timing light to one of the two batteries under the seat. I used the spark plug adapter for the third connection and that was it. It seemed to work fine without the other connection to the dwell port. Am I missing something? I have not timed vehicles since I was in high school in the mid 80's. My truck has the Pertronix ignition

[cuz]

Why do you think you are missing something? That's how you time it and I believe that's what I said above. The extra adapters that come in the kit are there to show how they are used if you are needing to use them for any reason and that way I make one photo and display all three tools in action. I have over a thousand educational photos like that one that I use on my web sites to help folks out. I put a lot of time into them so when I can combine functions I do just that.

If you do not have any of these handy GI test adapters for your water proof M electrical system now's the time to get them. They're on EPAY in a "Buy'it'now" ad for $35 with shipping. That's 10 bucks less then what the vendors are asking for just the little timing adapter bugger.

[M37UK]

Wes, where on ePay are these adapters? I am unsure what to search for.

Cheers
Stu

[mike_l]

I have been able to use jumper cables from the first battery in my M37 extended out the window to a plywood board set on the fuel can bracket. Then I clip the timing light to the jumper cables and using the sparkplug wire adapter, time per the book. Just be careful when you put your plywood board on the truck you clamp it down so it doesn't move or get bumped and short out the cables to the bracket. I am able to use all my 12V tools on my truck by doing this.

[M37UK]

I used my normal 12v timing light but re-wired it, extending the cable by about 10feet.
The sensor is place over HT cable no.1 where I have cut through all the braiding just enough to fit the clamp on.


Stu

[snowdad]

Just enter M37 Dodge and search on eBay. They show up at least once a month.

[EDI]

Thanks everyone, did the tune-up yesterday and it ran great, made 55mph with no problem, I put about 100 miles on it yesterday and looked this morning and still no leaks anywhere. Ed