The timing mark everyone talks about. Is that the line on the balancer? Does it have to line up with that piece of metal on the block? What does it mean?

Thanks

 

Look on the balancer, see the line...Use some white out or white paint to mark it...Makes it easier to see.

The metal thing on the timing chain cover is a timing pointer. I don't know exactly on yours so I will be general and you can look up here or in a book for the exact spec for your vehicle...

My stock 305 LB9 engine had a deeper groove on the 0 mark on the pointer. Maybe your engine has the same.

This shows you the base timing...I assume you have some sort of plug to unplug before you set base timing. That needs to be unplugged or else your reading will be wrong. With a dial back timing light, turn the dial until you get the line on the balancer aligned with the zero mark on the pointer. Now read the dial on the timing light and that is your base timing.

Hope thats helpful...

 

Thanks for the reply,
I got most of what you were talking about, just confused on the plug part. Could you explain more?

Thanks

 

I see by your sig you have an 86 Z. If your is fuel injected then you don't have a connector; you need to place a jumper wire between the A and B terminals on the ALDL. Those are the two right side terminals on the top row of the connector. A paper clip works well for this. I was thinking about my car because I didn't notice your sig the first time. I have a connector to unplug to set base timing...

This puts the computer into EST, electronic spark timing, bypass mode. Now there is no advance, just base timing which is what you monitor with a timing light. Now you can use your light and adjust as neccessary...

 

mine is an lg4, 4 barrel

 

Really, I thought you would have fuel injection. Okay, then you should have an EST connector to unplug to put it in bypass mode. There is a four wire EST plug at the distributor that should be unplugged. This will set off the check engine light, but once you are all done just reset the computer and you'll be fine...

 

Ok, I know what you're talking about now. Another thing when the balancer is set right that doesnt' mean #1 is TDC, right? Could be 1,2,3......

Thanks

 

I am not sure what you mean. The balancer and timing marks should be set according to the orientation of the #1 piston. For example, when the mark on the balancer and the TDC mark on the pointer line up, the #1 piston should be exactly at TDC. Timing lights usually have an inductive pick up that attaches to the #1 plug wire. THe number 1 hole is the reference cylinder...

 

Thanks a bunch man, my dad helped me set the timing, and all your words came to life. Now the SUPER, SUPER SUCKY news. The whole reason for this is cause I yanked my engine a week ago, to replace the 2 freeze plugs on back of block, 1 leaked. Did that wahoo, dropped back in yesterday, got it runnin today. Pour in a gallon of anti=freeze, and see it runnin down my drive way. Another freeze plug gave out. How crappppppyyyy is that.

Later

 

That really sucks!!

Good luck fixing it...