So Im trying to make sure my balancer is degreed correctly. It has a new balancer for a 91 and an old stock 1991 timing pointer.

I'll be using a piston stop and trying to freely spin the engine to find tdc. I heard about a strap wrench or something. Any hints?

 

You can try a strap wrench on the balancer, or you can get a tool to bolt to the balancer that lets you use a 1/2" drive. Take the plugs out first though and it'll be a lot easier to turn.

 

You can turn it off the front of the alternater as well.Push down on the belt as your turning.I find this to be easier and you don't risk over tightning your balancer bolt.

 

If you're using a piston stop through a spark plug hole, remove the rockers for that cylinder. The valves will hit the piston stop if you don't.

My engine doesn't use a flexplate/torque converter cover. I have a flexplate barring tool that grabs the teeth of the flexplate. It gives great leverage to bar the engine over.

If the balancer is off, don't put the pulley on yet. Get 3 longer bolts to replace the pulley bolts and screw them into the balancer. About 2-3" long will do. Use a pry bar on those bolts to bar the engine over.

As mentioned above, take out all the spark plugs first.

To find TDC, I'm assuming you're using a degree wheel since you're using a piston stop? The timing pointer on the timing chain cover may not be accurate.

 

sorry been busy last couple of days. This is turning into a porject i just dont have time for (for the next couple of weeks).

I have been chasing a problem since installing the new 350 (reman 350 swap for a 305). Feels like power totally goes flat between 1500 and 3000 rpm under part throttle. Replaced all sensors (except o2.....2 yrs old), new ignition stuff (coil, cap, rotor, plugs).

Put 600mi on it since the install. Everything I have done gets me closer and closer to this problem but I just havent quite figured it out yet.

I feel like its a fuel or timing problem. The balancer is new, and pointer is from the 305. I am setting timing from the notch in the balancer assuming that it points at "0" at tdc. I suspect that its probably a few degrees off.

But after letting the car sit awhile, I smell between the hood and windshield at the cowl and smell fuel. I just noticed this tonight and havent been able to investigate.