Is there a way to reference the balancer's timing mark with the keyway on the crank? (ie - the mark is 180deg opposite from the keyway).

I don't trust the mark...I think the outer ring has sliped on the rubber...

 

If i recall....

Pre 69 engines have the TDC mark 2° to the left of the keyway centerline.
The 69-85 engines have the TDC mark 10° to the left of the keyway centerline.
The 86 to 92 engines have the TDC mark 40° to the left of the keyway centerline.

The numbers may not be accurate, but i know that they have changed over the years. Im getting rusty.....im not sure

Go in with a protractor and center it on the balancer bolt. Position the 0° or the 90° on the protractor in-line with the crankshaft keyway. use a straight edge of some sort and place one end on the center point (balancer bolt) and the other end on the timing line that is etched in the balancer. Using that, determine where the timing mark is in relation to the crankshaft keyway. That is the method i used when checking my balancer. It may not be the most effective way, but it works using common household items.

 

Bravo Steckman! - as the Beastie Boys would say - 'you're kicking serious knowledge'

That was exactly the info I needed - I'll let you know how it goes after I find a protractor!!

 

You need a degree wheel and some sort of TDC locating device.
They're relativele cheap, and if you had one now, there'd be no need to be applying guesswork.
Even a timing tape would be good, or you could order one of those degreed harmonic balancer covers. I see them on eBay all the time.

 

Yea, i guess the method used would depend on location of the balancer at the moment. Is it on or off the engine?

At the time when i had to figure out of my timing mark was aligned, i did not have a timing wheel. So i had to make do with what i had.

You still toss a "c" in my name. Heh, oh well.

 

The parts I mentioned, a degreed dampener cover and TDC locator are both made by Proform, and I've seen them online for about $25 and $10 from a few different dealers.