NEED HELP Ramjet 350 base timing?!?!?!?!?!

[rkarr]

Hey all, I need help!
I'm firing up my new ramjet350, and I can't find any "traditional" timing marks on the balancer...
There is one line cut in it, with one little white dot, which I assume is TDC.
Anybody been in my shoes that can help me figure out where the heck 10 degrees TDC would be?
I actually sanded the paint off of the balancer thinking that the paint might have covered the stampings, but... NOT.. They aren't there.

The instructions tell me to set base timing at 10 degrees BTDC, but I'll be french dipped if ith balancer is marked!

You'd think for a $5,000 crate engine, they'd give me timing marks!

Please help, I'm completely frustrated!

Thanks in advance.

[jhow66]

Where is your timing tab on the motor?

[rkarr]

The timing tab is on the timing cover... Not very traditional, firstly, it's PLASTIC.. There's a little "V" in the cover with a white dot, and on the balancer, there's a groove cut into it from the front (toward the radiator) to the back (toward the block).. I am assuming that it is TDC, and am looking for the degree stampings, but there anre none.
Thank you for your speedy reply.
~Russ

[jhow66]

Lke this:

[jhow66]

Originally Posted by rkarr

The timing tab is on the timing cover... Not very traditional, firstly, it's PLASTIC.. There's a little "V" in the cover with a white dot, and on the balancer, there's a groove cut into it from the front (toward the radiator) to the back (toward the block).. I am assuming that it is TDC, and am looking for the degree stampings, but there anre none.
Thank you for your speedy reply.
~Russ

It should have come with a bolt on tab then.

[sacustomcycle]

I installed a Ramjet 350 in my son-n-law's 87 chevy and ran into the same problem. I asked all over the place and could never get an answer. I tried measuring the distance from TDC to 10 degrees on a old 350 I had and setting the Ramjet approximately the same distance from the V notch (assuming it was TDC). The motor seemed to run best with the balancer mark lined up with the V notch, so thats where I left it.

If you ever find anyone that knows for sure where it should be set, let me know so I can make sure his is correct.

[rkarr]

Originally Posted by sacustomcycle

I installed a Ramjet 350 in my son-n-law's 87 chevy and ran into the same problem. I asked all over the place and could never get an answer. I tried measuring the distance from TDC to 10 degrees on a old 350 I had and setting the Ramjet approximately the same distance from the V notch (assuming it was TDC). The motor seemed to run best with the balancer mark lined up with the V notch, so thats where I left it.

If you ever find anyone that knows for sure where it should be set, let me know so I can make sure his is correct.

That's the closest thing to an answer I could find...
Clearly, I found the same lack of information on the web as you did, and the manual is less than clear!
When I get it figured out, I will let you know!
Thanks for the reply.

[rkarr]

Originally Posted by jhow66

It should have come with a bolt on tab then.

Have you ever seen one of these engines?

[rkarr]

Originally Posted by rkarr

Hey all, I need help!
I'm firing up my new ramjet350, and I can't find any "traditional" timing marks on the balancer...
There is one line cut in it, with one little white dot, which I assume is TDC.
Anybody been in my shoes that can help me figure out where the heck 10 degrees TDC would be?
I actually sanded the paint off of the balancer thinking that the paint might have covered the stampings, but... NOT.. They aren't there.

The instructions tell me to set base timing at 10 degrees BTDC, but I'll be french dipped if ith balancer is marked!

You'd think for a $5,000 crate engine, they'd give me timing marks!

Please help, I'm completely frustrated!

Thanks in advance.

TTT Need help... PLEASE

[chevy50]

IF I ain't mistaken,which that would be something new,is the timin is set at the 0 degree mark at the factory and the computer also handles all the advance and the injectors timin and also the ratio on the fuel and air.If it works like I guessin like,if you would try and advance the timin,the computer would try and reset the timin and make it worse than when you started.Of course I could totally wrong,too!!

[Highsteel]

Originally Posted by rkarr

The timing tab is on the timing cover... Not very traditional, firstly, it's PLASTIC.. There's a little "V" in the cover with a white dot, and on the balancer, there's a groove cut into it from the front (toward the radiator) to the back (toward the block).. I am assuming that it is TDC, and am looking for the degree stampings, but there anre none.
Thank you for your speedy reply.
~Russ

I think your missing a piece. There should be a bolt on degreed tab that extents out to meet the balancer.
Gilbert Chevrolet lists them as on their RAM JET 350 SERVICE PARTS LIST as
12562818 Plastic Timing Cover with Timing Tab
This can be found on their site link
I not sure about comp controlled timing, but I think you still have to set initial timing at what did you say 10* BTDC?
Hope I'm not way out in left field and this is what you looking for!

[jhow66]

Originally Posted by rkarr

Have you ever seen one of these engines?

Not Ram-Jet-just the regular one's (metal cover). These come with the timing tab.

[CDA 455]

Have you tried this website --> ?

[rkarr]

Originally Posted by Highsteel

I think your missing a piece. There should be a bolt on degreed tab that extents out to meet the balancer.
Gilbert Chevrolet lists them as on their RAM JET 350 SERVICE PARTS LIST as
12562818 Plastic Timing Cover with Timing Tab
This can be found on their site link
I not sure about comp controlled timing, but I think you still have to set initial timing at what did you say 10* BTDC?
Hope I'm not way out in left field and this is what you looking for!

Uh-oh!
If I need to change the timing cover, I'm in for some work...
I already have the March drive system installed, engine is in, radiator and fans are in.... Coolant level is topped off...
Well, at least it looks pretty!

Thanks for the replys from all, I appreciate your help!

[WorkinLonghorn]

What would happen if you used an adjustable timing light and just set it at 10 Degrees with both marks lined up? Just a thought,I don't know the answer.

[rkarr]

Originally Posted by WorkinLonghorn

What would happen if you used an adjustable timing light and just set it at 10 Degrees with both marks lined up? Just a thought,I don't know the answer.

The only light I own doesn't have that option... I used to work on two stroke outboards, and with them you couldn't trust the circuitry..
I guess with all the other goodies and cool tools I've bought for this project, I should stop whining and just go get one...

Frankly, that's the simplest answer!

[Billla]

Not sure I completely understand the problem. It's easy enough to find TDC with a piston stop - start there. Once a TDC reference is established, put some timing tape on the balancer and you're done.

If I'm missing something, let me know - but this seems like a quick and easy fix...

[roger55]

Originally Posted by Billla

Not sure I completely understand the problem. It's easy enough to find TDC with a piston stop - start there. Once a TDC reference is established, put some timing tape on the balancer and you're done.

If I'm missing something, let me know - but this seems like a quick and easy fix...

Well, I just bought a Ramjet and wondered why they didn't put a better marker tab on the timing cover. I searched and found this thread.

I used my piston stop tool and verified that the lone "V" on the timing cover tab when lined up with the line on the balancer is indeed exactly TDC. I put timing tape on the balancer and am good to go. Now I can set the timing to 10 deg BTDC with a timing light.

[x ReAcT x]

I was thinking this engine was plug and play... i didnt realize you had to set up the balancer or anything...

[x ReAcT x]

As you can tell im pretty new at doing engine swaps