Seen many questions as of late having to do with timing. "My car wont stop knocking even after I set the timing" and "Why can't I get the timing set right". The answer is that your timing pointer is wrong. GM mass produced the timing covers and got the pointers close, but when you're trying to dial in a degree of timing they're off just enough to **** you off. This is especially noticeable when you are trying to degree in the camshaft. When my last motor was on the stand I found the stock pointer to be off by 6*. The solution is simple. You need to calibrate the pointer so that 0* is truly 0*. Best time to do it is before the motor goes in the car, but it can be done anytime. With the aid of a degree wheel, find absolute top dead center for cyl. #1 or you can use a TDC stop but they can be off by a degree or two. When you're sure that #1 is @TDC look at the pointer. If it's pointing to zero you're good. If not, you need to fix it any one of three ways.

1.) Get your hands on an adjustable timing pointer. Jegs and Summit carry them for around $20 and they're pretty. Install it so that it points to 0* with #1 @TDC (Duh)

2) YOu can try to move the stock pointer to where it needs to be, but they're spot welded on and you usually end up with a hole in the thin timing cover.

3.) This is the easiest. Use a pair of tin snips and trim the tab into an arrow that points to 0*.

This is one of those little tips that you pick up that saves you lots of time and agravation.

 

Or you get people using the wrong tab/balancer combo and freak right out when they check their timing!


My engine was knocking to beat all hell the other night and wouldnt stop knocking for anything. oh well, just kept it to the floor... won most of the races

 

lol, seen that too.

Another option would be to pick up a roll of timing tape to put on the balancer. It'll be calibrated and you'll have degree marks instead of a single groove in the balancer.