Front End Changeover
 

Well, I've finally got all the parts and the right brackets to start the changeover
of the front end of the engine. I'm removing the 73 and up stuff and replacing it
with what I'm told is stock 69 stuff...such as the short water pump, alternator
on the drivers side and the correct power steering pump, etc.

Well, I go to put the water pump on and I notice that the tang holding the timing
tab for timing the engine is going to be right below the water pump, and with the short water pump, the timing tab won't be visible from above as it was with the tall water pump.

So, am I going to have to pull the harmonic balancer off and timing chain cover off
and replace them with stock 69 stuff. Or, could I just put #1 on TDC and mark the
balancer off to the side with a corresponding reference mark on the block, should
I have to re-time the engine in the future.

The harmonic balancer currently on the engine is the thick variety, about 1 1/2
inches thick.

Jim
Mt Juliet
:bowtie:

Just time it by ear.....thats what us "old farts" do! not trying to be a "smartass", but give that little chev what she wants(sortof like you would take care of your best girlfriend ;) ) if it dont spark rattle, crank the timing up.....if it rattles, you better kick it back a bit :) b crazyL :burnout:

I agree with Crazy L. I don't even own a timing light.

There is another timing tab for the shortie pump. All you need to do is get the right tab (hard to do), or reocate yours. Just set you engine on 0*btdc. Then remove your tab and modify it to fit in the new location. then scribe a mark at 0*btdc on your balancer.

I vote for a generic pointer and timing tape.The tape goes on the balancer and the pointer can be mounted to a bolt on the timing chain cover.