Advance Curve and the Dial Back Timing Light?

So my spring kit came in today and I was going to do a little advance curve tuning. My Ford Falcon Performance Handbook states to use a dial back timing light and graph the results every 500 rpm, up through 3000. I don’t have a dial back timing light but I do have an older Sears Engine Analyzer that reaches from 0-60 degrees via analog dial.

Not being familiar with the dial back timing lights functionality, except that you twist the dial to achieve TDC at the timing mark and pointer, then read the dial.

It seems pretty straight forward, I can use the analyzer and increase the throttle at 500 rpm increments and record the results. The dial back timing light doesn’t do anything special internally does it? I know it sounds pretty simple but I don’t do this everyday and I’m not familiar with dial back timing light.

Thanks in advance (excuse the pun)!

 

the engine analyzer should work just fine. their is no internal magic to the dial back timing light.

 

Thanks, thought should ask! I've got an old sun light I've used for years. Don't know why I got to thinking there was something else going on with the dial back light.

 

And if you're running some type of multiple spark ignition it often confuses a dial-back light.

 

this is true. I have to keep mine set to 0 on all MSD equipped vehicles or it'll fluctuate like its got major spark scatter issues.