Timing tab dilemma - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

joeymarkgraf · 09-02-2008, 01:29 AM

So I finally got my 81 C10 to fire after replacing all the seals after months of delay. I'm pretty glad, since I had lost the position of the dizzy after the mark came off so it was a "gaining experience" type of thing. I'll post pictures for everybody after I get all the wires under control.

But...

After replacing all the seals and putting chrome valve covers and a new timing cover on, I realized that my timing tab had moved from 0 degrees on top, to 15-20 degrees from the top-center of the harmonic balancer.

If this is confusing, the old one was at 12:00, the new one is at about 3:00. I've looked at summit and jegs to find a new pointer, but it seems like they all are for the 3:30 type of small blocks... Could I Just put my timing light pickup on a different wire, or is there an aftermarket pointer that I could put on? I sure don't want to have to go to the trouble of putting the old cover back on, and I'd like to have a tab of some sort, so what should I do?

smashingchuck · 09-02-2008, 01:44 AM

I think you can buy one from Summit that will work...

joeymarkgraf · 09-02-2008, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smashingchuck

I think you can buy one from Summit that will work...

None of them seem to be for the 12:00 type, does anyone know if such a tab exists?

piecesparts · 09-02-2008, 09:53 AM

If you are going to use the timing tab from an older generation chevy engine setup, then you will have to get a harmonic dampener that has the marks at the point of your timing tab for TDC. They are out there and you will need to pull one dampener and install another. The other option is to get the original timing cover chromed or painted.

GMBowtie79 · 09-02-2008, 07:51 PM

You can get a timing tape that sticks to the harmonic balancer. You would have to put the motor at TDC and mark where the 0 degree on the tab is and line the tape up with your mark. Might not be exact but will be closer than guessing. the tapes are cheap, Summit carries them.http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...8252+%2D106059

09-02-2008, 01:29 AM	#1
joeymarkgraf Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Corvallis, OR Posts: 47	Timing tab dilemma So I finally got my 81 C10 to fire after replacing all the seals after months of delay. I'm pretty glad, since I had lost the position of the dizzy after the mark came off so it was a "gaining experience" type of thing. I'll post pictures for everybody after I get all the wires under control. But... After replacing all the seals and putting chrome valve covers and a new timing cover on, I realized that my timing tab had moved from 0 degrees on top, to 15-20 degrees from the top-center of the harmonic balancer. If this is confusing, the old one was at 12:00, the new one is at about 3:00. I've looked at summit and jegs to find a new pointer, but it seems like they all are for the 3:30 type of small blocks... Could I Just put my timing light pickup on a different wire, or is there an aftermarket pointer that I could put on? I sure don't want to have to go to the trouble of putting the old cover back on, and I'd like to have a tab of some sort, so what should I do?

09-02-2008, 01:44 AM	#2
smashingchuck It'd be alot cooler if you did Join Date: May 2003 Location: Three Rivers, MI Posts: 2,345	Re: Timing tab dilemma I think you can buy one from Summit that will work... __________________ 78 Build Thread 4Runner Build

09-02-2008, 09:53 AM	#4
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: Timing tab dilemma If you are going to use the timing tab from an older generation chevy engine setup, then you will have to get a harmonic dampener that has the marks at the point of your timing tab for TDC. They are out there and you will need to pull one dampener and install another. The other option is to get the original timing cover chromed or painted.

09-02-2008, 07:51 PM	#5
GMBowtie79 Surviving, one day at a time! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Turlock,CA Posts: 295	Re: Timing tab dilemma You can get a timing tape that sticks to the harmonic balancer. You would have to put the motor at TDC and mark where the 0 degree on the tab is and line the tape up with your mark. Might not be exact but will be closer than guessing. the tapes are cheap, Summit carries them.http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...8252+%2D106059 __________________ 79 Burb,350,tremic 5 spd, 4 wheel disc, daily driver 74 swb,350,350,driver & future project "There's no such thing as a finished project" Last edited by GMBowtie79; 09-02-2008 at 07:57 PM.



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