Where's my timing marks?

[Zonaman]

Just got back from the emissions station and I passed So I thought I'd finally get around to checking the timing and idle so I'd be able to get in the ball park next year. So I hooked up the strobe light and saw NO TIMING MARKS! The harmonic balancer does seem to have a nice straight grove in it but there's no paint so the strobe didn't catch it. No timing tab either! How did someone time my engine (so it'll pass emissions) with no timing marks? Can I get one of those tabs and what do you have to take off before you can get it on? How do you set it to read accurately? Appreciate some advice on this.

Thanks.

[Chevyguy111786]

i too need to know this....the timing cover i bought has no tab.....and i'm rebuilding the enigne.....hmmm....ttt for ya

[71Chevy4-speed]

As for timing? don't mean to sound stupid but are you sure you had it hooked to the number one wire? just wondering because unless you follow mine to the spark plug it looks as if the forward most wire is the number one until you follow it up from the plug. Otherwise... does the truck start hard? Look for the timing marks to be up under your water pump because its way advanced.

I think there is tabs out there that you can buy that bolt on with one of the bolts to the timing chain cover, I'm not sure for sbc's but I know I saw something like this in some parts magazine.

[Zonaman]

Had the number one wire for sure. Truck runs like a dream- no problems starting. I want to be able to set the timing as it is now if, say for example, I have to pull the distributer.

[mr402]

Did you disconnect the vacuumm advance when checking it? With the advance hooked up the mark will be under the water pump.

[Zonaman]

Originally Posted by mr402

Did you disconnect the vacuumm advance when checking it? With the advance hooked up the mark will be under the water pump.

D'OH! I'll need to do that! What will the mark line up with without a timing tab?

[Fred T]

Old school mechanics would use one of three methods: ears, timing light, vacuum gauge.

[mr402]

I'll have to leave that to a real expert on the board. I haven't messed with a small block for years. Only reason I caught that was because I've done it

[VetteVet]

Hi Zonaman:
You are missing the timing tab on the chain cover. The straight line on the harmonic balancer is the mark that shows up under the strobe. It lines up with the degree marks on the tab. You must have an aftermarket timing cover. You can get a tab at most auto parts places but be sure you get one for your engine E. G. small block or big block and for the right diameter balancer. Go to google and type timing tab and you can see a picture of one. HTH

[RON WOODGEARD]

You can buy an aftermarket timing tab ( chromed if you like) that bolts on to 2 of the bolts that hold the Timing chain cover on, They only run a few dollars.

The other thing you may be up against is whether you have the Right Balancer or not. I don't remember where the change comes in, But there are 2 balancers that are the same diameter but the timing marks are in different places.. I have that going on on my motor, The marks are way off.. My balancer is/was new, and I degreed the cam in.
One of the tricks through the ages, Is to Put "White" hobby paint in the "0" mark.. It stands right out at ya when you hit the light on it.. You want to be sure you have the paint inside the Line. I take a sharp, pointed instrument and scrape the orange paint out of the inside of the Groove so the White paint will stick very well..then be sure you clean off any paint that gets on the surface so just the line shows up under a light. Then I will do the same thing at the 8,10,or 12 degree mark, whatever I am timing that particular engine at...

[mrein3]

1. Go to the auto parts store and buy the aftermarket timing tab.
2. Bolt it on.
3. Warm up your engine, unplug your vacuum advance, plug that vacuum line, and get your current time mark.
4. Write it down and keep it in a safe place for your next emissions test.
5. Change your timing to where you get your best performance/mileage/idle/what ever you are going for.
6. Drive and enjoy your car.
7. When you next emissions test comes along repeat 3 & 4 noting where you're gonna set your timing at after you pass emissions again.

Timing is relative. Even if your timing tab is "off" you can still use it. You just need a point of reference for YOUR engine.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Ron is right....depending on what year/type of motor you have will determine what timing tab you need. Some are at 12 O'Clock, straight down, and some are at 2 O'clock. If your truck has an older 350 it is most likely the 2 O'Clock. Autozone and Advance sells them for a couple bucks. If your truck is a 12 O'Clock it should have come from the factory with the tab welded to the timing cover, so if it's not there the 2 O'Clock should work. Go for the 2 O'Clock and follow mrein3's instructions

[sneakysnake]

http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/perfpart...408&section=pp
If you will mark your balancer with a line of white chalk it shows up real nice.