Advice needed - timing chain

[MySons68C20]

Originally Posted by AussieinNC

Maybe its me, but I always run the true TDC check and mark the balancer....that way I know the timing line is accurate....

I prefer to do it right the first time....

But its your engine....

I agree! There is no way to know your true timing unless you use a piston stop to establish TDC.

[kev2809]

Originally Posted by AussieinNC

Maybe its me, but I always run the true TDC check and mark the balancer....that way I know the timing line is accurate....

I prefer to do it right the first time....

But its your engine....

Originally Posted by MySons68C20

I agree! There is no way to know your true timing unless you use a piston stop to establish TDC.

agree with both of you guys, I'll dig out the tool and make a new mark if its off. I'm just trying to understand the physical appearance of the gears and the timing dots to actual timing. I figured since nothing on the inside was removed, and I never pulled the distributor, then technically you can slap a timing chain and gear in any way and still functions the same? man I feel so dumb asking this type of stuff lol

also, on these 5.7 vortecs, they don't have a traditional timing tab. there is a solid line on the timing chain cover, and a solid line on the balancer. I remember my old 305 had numbers in that area, this one does not