ok...to start off my friend tells me my car is pinging bad...so i figure the motor dont like 87...so i run 93 and it still pings like a ****...


well i go to set timing and the motor has no timing tab, so i add one...then go so set timing and no mark in site at idle!


using a timing analyzer i adjusted it until the mark came on the pointer...the advanced timing said 55 degrees @ 750 rpms and the car was idling nice and smooth...




now i am guessing the tard that built the motor sorta left a keyway off when he installed the harmonic balancer...correct?...becauce there is no way a cammed 305 would even idle at that timing.....am i on the right track or is there something else that i might have missed?....car started and runs perfect

 

Most likely the harmonic damper and timing tab are not of the same vintage/type.

 

the damper of any small block chevy should work with this style of pointer

i never heard of any difference in variation of years???????????????


i forgot to add...the car was put @ no 1 and set up like that to see if anything was wrong there...it was showing on the pointer...but still..wtf?

 

There have been at least 3 different timing mark locations over the years, that I know of. 2 of them are somewhat close; the third is WAY off.

Most likely, as stated, your balancer and timing tab don't match.

 

well this is gay....so i will need a newer damper..



wont the keyway be in a different spot too?

 

The balancer could be spun too. The outer ring can move and throw off the marks. Chances are it's the wrong pointer though.

 

The keyway is the same in all balancers. It's always lined up with the #1&2 rod throw. The difference is where on the balancer the mark is scribed. Which, like ZZ pointed out, is on the outer ring, which isn't really connected to the crank at all; it's just sort of loosely associated to somewhere near the engine by a blob of spooge, which frequently fails, thereby rendering the mark out into the ozone.

Screw the mark. Set the timing to where the car runs right. Then make your own mark on the balancer so you can re-find it if you ever have to disturb anything. If the ring has slipped though, you do need to replace the balancer; or it may start rubbing up against the timing cover and wear a hole in it, or fly off and go through the radiator or something, or otherwise ruin your whole day.

 

You could also mark the balancer yourself. Put a piece of masking tape around it, put #1 near bottom dead center, and insert a piston stop into #1 cylinder. Rotate engine around with 1/2" ratchet on balancer bolt, or use a flywheel tool if AT, gently until it stops. Mark on tape where timing pointer shows 0. Rotate engine backwards until it hits stop again and mark tape at 0. TDC will be in between the 2 marks. Take a rat tail file and file groove in balancer at your new mark. Paint it white and wala, correct TDC for setting timing.

 

just a thought, but typically computer or vacuum need to be disconnected from the distributor before you set the timing. You didn't mention doing this, but would not disconnecting it cause the reading to be way off?

 

its a non vac advance distributer...i know that needs to be done when setting initial

its a mallory unilite


what i am gonna do is get a different balancer