I have a 91 camaro and just rebuild the motor. I decided to go carburated and am running a HEI ignition. when we installed the timing set, i aligned the dots on the gears. I forgot about the timing and turned the motor over when i installed the torque converter. now the motor is in the car, what is the best way to get the car into time. my timing cover doesnt have a timing tab on it. also does it make a difference i am running a 77 355 and the balancer is off the original 91 350. any help at all will be greatly appreciated.

 

You really need a timing tab on there........ But anyway, to get the #1 cylinder to TDC, pull the plug out of #1, and turn the motor, with your finger over the plug hole, when it starts to blow your finger off, stick a wooden dowel in there, and feel for the top of the piston as then engine is turned, get the piston as close to the top as you can. You should be able to feel when it starts going down again. Line up the distributor so the rotor is pointing at the terminal on the cap that goes to #1, and set up the rest in the right firing order. This should at least get the engine to start.... but, you are only going to be guessing if your timing is "right" or not...

 

Without a timing tab, you'll never know where exact TDC is and even installing a timing tab, it still won't be accurate. You can guess at the timing to get the engine running but you're going to need a degree wheel and a piston stop to determine where the exact TDC is so you'll know where to position the timing tab.

I've explained how to find the exact TDC many times in many threads.

 

ok, thank you guys for the quick responses. I knew i needed a timing tab on the dumb thing, but dont know what i was thinking by not putting it on before dropping the motor back in. anyway, thanks for the info now i gotta put a timing tab on. ugh....