ok, got the timing marker and i need to install it.
mines missing so obviously im not sure where it goes.
i'll attach the pics, can you guys help me connect -the-dots.
gotta pass smog!!
thanks..

here's the cover:

 

heres the marker:

 

i'm gonna go with 9 shouldn't be that hard to figure out.....take off a valve cover and turn the engine over til you reach TDC.

 

It could go between 7 and 8 or 8 and 9. You best bet is to turn the engine to firing on TDC for #1 and alling the balancer mark to 0 on the tab. From there you can set the timing.

 

Thats my take on it. Thats a stock balancer off my LG4 that i chopped over your cover. I supppose it could also be moved one set of bolt holes up. install the plate, then the balancer and then line it up to see where it contours best with #1 TDC

 

9 is the hole for the dowel, there's also one on the opposite side you never numbered. the pointer you have has no provision for the dowel, that may or may not mean anything. you need to bring the engine up to TDC and line the dampner mark up with zero on the tab.

 

If you have the stock damper for one of these cars, that timing mark won't work.

If you imagine a straight line going from your hole numbered "6" to the center of the crank, that's about where the timing mark will be at #1 TDC. That other tab will be about 30° off.

You'll need to either get a stock timing cover with the mark welded on; or get an aftermarket (or earlier model) balancer with the mark in the different place. Nut if you do the latter, you won't be able to see it, because the PS pump will be RIGHT DIRECTLY IN THE WAY. That's why they had to move it.

 

hmmm... i was told before from here and the counter boys at the dealer that the thing was welded on to the cover. soooo... i ordered said cover that was listed for my "f" engine type of year 86. and... it shows up - as you can see from pic nothing welded on. it IS the stock timing cover. so i go back to the dealer talk to a guy who seems to know more, and get the timing marker as seen. seems to make sense as there is nothing welded on cover.
i hope this works or else im really confused, there is only a welded on pointer for "g" and "h" engine types according to their system.
that being said, i dont know why mine would be missing if it wasnt the weld on type. my car seems to be some kind of bastard though so you never know.
i guess ill take a look tomorrow and try and figure out what makes sense.

 

Yeah.... it's the wrong timing cover..... it might be "a" stock timing cover, but it's not "the" stock timing cover, for your specific car.... and the smog ***** definitely won't let you out of the concentration camp unless the timing marks line up and read right. So one way or another there's still something else you need. But they're right, both the H and G motors use the welded-on timing mark, as well as the E, F, & 8 motors in these cars, and lots of other cars too.

You might have bette luck at the boneyard.

 

would a different year have the cover i need? or another engine type might work for mine as well?

looks like i may take a trip to the boneyard, though it can be tough to find 305, mostly 6 and 4 cyls.

 

AFAIK every car or truck from about 80 up with a SBC V8 should have the right cover.

 

mr gasket sell a cheap timing tab that aligns right with the stock balencer, Jeg's part #720-4600. its $6.99

any local speed shop should have one too.

heres a picture of it on my motor (sorry about the flash)

 

:hail: !!!

 

Actually the one I got from the dealer is correct for TPI.

A-->8
B-->9

passed smog