I've read through many threads and some touch on what I need to know, but no answer.

After the balancer is installed on a L98 stock balancer that is. How fas does it stick out from the timing cover.
Here is a pic of what I've got.
I've taken off and on 3-4 times and it always stops at the same point.

thanks for the help as always

 

Looks ok but if in doubt, remove it again and do measurements. The balancer should bottom out against the cam gear. Measure the distance from the cam gear to the outside of the seal. Measure the snout of the balancer to see how far in it should go before it makes contact with the cam gear.

I was putting on a balancer for a 6.5 diesel and it just didn't look like it was going in far enough. After pulling it off and measuring, I found it was installed perfectly.

 

That looks about right. I install mine till they don't go in anymore. Also installing the crank pulley and making sure it lines up with the rest of the pulleys will help you determine if the balancer is all the way seated.

 

It's on all the way. Everything looks right to me.

Balancers will go on fairly tight and then when they're home they will just stop dead and not go any further.