engine timing

[freds]

rebuild 1967 c10 chevy pickup, replaced new 350 chevy engine and using the old harmonic balancer, why am i not able to zero out the balancer to TDC specks. way out of the limits range white marks. no matter which way i turn the distributor. is there such thing as tbe harmonic need to come with the specific engine ?. also causing engine to get very hot.

[72SB]

your old damper likely has slipped making the timing mark on it useless. They are wear/replacement items

Is your current damper hub keyed?

You want a keyed hub/damper and one with timing marks on it or use MSD timing tape the correct size for your diameter damper. It comes in a sheet for around $7 and you just stick on the size you need

hot engine would indicate timing is to retarded

[geezer#99]

You might find the info you need here.


https://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/..._TDC_lines_SBC

[geezer#99]

And some more info.



https://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/...op_dead_center

[jgr]

You should never switch a harmonic balancer from one engine to another. Run the numbers on the engine in the truck and then buy the correct one for that engine, they do not cost that much! The wrong balancer will take out your bottom end.

[Rickysnickers]

I'd highly encourage you to purchase a new balancer. They can be had rather inexpensively, https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...make/chevrolet

[Wrenchbender Ret]

Some 350 engines had the timing marks straight up. You looked down between the water pump & timing cover.
If that is what you have you will need to remark it like Geezer says.

[LS short box]

The best way to confirm the timing mark on the balancer is to buy a piston stop and screw it into the #1 spark plug hole. Slowly rotate the engine over until you touch the piston to the piston stop. Then mark it using the timing tab as a reference. Then rotate the engine the other way until the piston touches the piston stop and mark it. In the middle of those two marks will be top dead center. Then go from there adjusting the timing.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by 72SB

your old damper likely has slipped making the timing mark on it useless. They are wear/replacement items

Is your current damper hub keyed?

You want a keyed hub/damper and one with timing marks on it or use MSD timing tape the correct size for your diameter damper. It comes in a sheet for around $7 and you just stick on the size you need

hot engine would indicate timing is to retarded

I've had that timing tape get distorted by Carb Cleaner and come off from engine heat. It's not permanent.

You can get your Harmonic Balancer rebuilt by the Damper Doctor [ damperdoctor.com ] but for an engine as common as the 350 SBC, it's probably cheaper to get a new one. If you had a more obscure engine, the Dr would be the choice.

[rockyrivermark]

Originally Posted by LS short box

The best way to confirm the timing mark on the balancer is to buy a piston stop and screw it into the #1 spark plug hole. Slowly rotate the engine over until you touch the piston to the piston stop. Then mark it using the timing tab as a reference. Then rotate the engine the other way until the piston touches the piston stop and mark it. In the middle of those two marks will be top dead center. Then go from there adjusting the timing.

This is great advise.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Sheepdip]

Originally Posted by freds

rebuild 1967 c10 chevy pickup, replaced new 350 chevy engine and using the old harmonic balancer, why am i not able to zero out the balancer to TDC specks. way out of the limits range white marks. no matter which way i turn the distributor. is there such thing as tbe harmonic need to come with the specific engine ?. also causing engine to get very hot.

This is the guy I used to get the "CORRECT" dampener for my particular engine. Very knowledgeable as he should be.

https://www.damperdoctor.com/

If you want to time it temporarily to run use a vacuum gauge.

This is assuming everything is correct/right with all parts used in the rebuild.

Hook the vacuum gauge to manifold vacuum, run your motor at approximately 2500 rpm while turning/adjusting your distributor to read the highest vacuum, then slightly back (retard) it off and lock it down.

[72SB]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

I've had that timing tape get distorted by Carb Cleaner and come off from engine heat. It's not permanent.

in lieu of buying a damper with etched timing marks....

any non clean surface or one that is exposed to cleaners like carb cleaner over any sticker....yeah it is going to come off

Applying the timing tape to a clean damper and it will stay....does on mine. YMMV