how would i tell what timing tab i need?

[ocbaud]

the following is my the Professional Products page about their balancers.

Small block Chevy - These engines have used three different timing pointer locations. Pre '69 engines have the TDC mark 2° to the left of the keyway centerline. The '69 to '85 dampers have the TDC mark 10° to the left of the keyway centerline. The 1986 to 1991/1992 have the TDC mark 40° to the left of the timing mark. All of our SB Chevy dampers, as well as all other aftermarket dampers, use the 10° TDC position. Our 6.75" diameter models have two TDC marks, one that is 10° and one that is 40° to the left of the timing mark. If you have a pre '69 vehicle you can use one of the aftermarket bolt-on timing pointers to align correctly with the timing marks on our dampers.

my engine is from a 71' vehicle. I'm using the following timing pointer:
http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...91&prmenbr=361

which mounts like this:
http://www.ocbaud.com/pictures/engine/3501.JPG

and yes, i just ordered a tdc finder thing from jegs

[swervin ervin]

OK, once again.

Install the piston stop in number one plug hole. Rotate the engine clockwise from the front until it lightly bumps the stop. Put a mark on the balancer inline with zero on the pointer. Now rotate the engine counterclockwise until it bumps the stop. Put another mark on the balancer at zero. TDC will be center ways between the two marks.

You may have to remove the plugs and maybe some belts to be able to rotate the engine.

[Grim Reaper]

Ohh I been through this. I bought a used crate out of a wrecked 85. The crate was installed by the local chevy dealer. Well the crate is a 94 casting and it had matching 94 timing tab on the chain cover.

So I drop this motor in and try to time it to the marker. Come to find out they put the 85 ballancer on it after several hours of cussing! Looked at motor I just pulled out of truck and noticed timing mark was different location is how I figured out what they did. Used a bolt on the back of the water pump as a timing reerence from then on LOL.

[ocbaud]

okay, so i dont have my piston stop yet, but i used a large hex key. it turns out, that the degrees printed on the balacer are correct and that i do have the right pointer. cept it shows TDC as 5 degrees on the balacer. i'm gonna measure again when i have the piston stop, and i'm sure it will be exactly at 0 degrees like it should.

i dont know what i was doing wrong before. oh well, its running tons better now. i guess i had it advanced about 40-50 degrees more than it should have(if thats right)

i took it for a drive and no more pinging... at all!! thats with 91 octane too, so now my gas station choices are a lot larger(and cheaper) meaning i dont have to run 93 octane anymore with octane booster just to get it not to ping.

oh yeah, it will spin the tire from a good roll

maybe it can run better than a 15.72....

[MylilBowTie]

Im pretty sure those timing tabs are adjustable that might be the difference that is throwing you off.

[ocbaud]

Originally Posted by MylilBowTie

Im pretty sure those timing tabs are adjustable that might be the difference that is throwing you off.

it is adjustable, but i'm not gonna adjust it until i have something more accurate like the pistion stop