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where is the timing tab?

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Old 11-27-2009, 09:28 AM
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Car: 86 Firebird LG4
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 limited slip
where is the timing tab?

the car is a 1986 firebird 305 carb.
im looking for that thing with the saw teeth. i mean i have looked around for 1/2 hour at least and me and my friend just couldn't find anything. is it possible that it is missing or am i just not looking hard enough.

Last edited by 0pyders; 11-27-2009 at 12:57 PM.
Old 11-27-2009, 01:47 PM
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Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: LS1/LQ4
Transmission: 4L60E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
At 12 o'clock above the damper.

You have to look between the water pump and timing cover to see it.
Old 11-27-2009, 04:00 PM
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Re: where is the timing tab?

do i have to be under the car. (please don't laugh this is really making me frustrated).
Old 11-27-2009, 04:21 PM
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Re: where is the timing tab?

Dude, you may have to go under the car. Yes, it is better that way because while under there you can clean the harmonic balancer. This is where the timing marks are. Get some carb cleaner or brake cleaner and a rag and clean it off. You may want to also use a socket and wrench to turn the engine. Then, get some white chalk and mark your timing at 6 degrees BTC on the damper/harmonic balancer.
Old 11-27-2009, 07:24 PM
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Re: where is the timing tab?

here are some pics i took. do you think you could circle which part where the timing tab is?



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Old 11-27-2009, 08:00 PM
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Car: 82 TA 87 IZ L98 88 IZ LB9 88 IZ L98
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Re: where is the timing tab?

Left of the power steering pulley, above the crank pulley off to the dr. side, that's where it is.
Old 11-27-2009, 08:02 PM
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Re: where is the timing tab?

yeah, its kinda under the water pump and to the right

EDIT: You dont really want to be under the car at all, first off you should be able to find it from above the car, second no matter what you are doing weather its adjusting the valves or adjusting the timing, you cant do either of those from under the car.

Last edited by bakes85; 11-27-2009 at 08:05 PM.
Old 11-27-2009, 08:55 PM
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Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: LS1/LQ4
Transmission: 4L60E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
You can't see it from under the car.

It's not to the right when you look behind the water pump. It's straight below it. '86 used the 12 o'clock timing tab location.

See that heater hose that goes to the top of the water pump in your second photo? You have to look behind and below there. You have to lean way over the bumper (or fender - bumper usually works better) and look down in that space between the water pump and timing cover (which is what I said in my first response). It's tight, there is only a small "window" that allows you to both point the timing light and actually see where it's flashing.

When you do this, make sure your timing light wires don't get close to that spinning AC pulley. Only bad things happen after that. Ask me how I know. . .
Old 11-27-2009, 09:14 PM
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Re: where is the timing tab?

Old 11-27-2009, 11:36 PM
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Re: where is the timing tab?

Originally Posted by vetteoz
Right.

But that's not where it is on a stock '86.
Old 11-28-2009, 12:11 AM
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Re: where is the timing tab?

ok i printed off all the info you guys posted ima try tomorrow i think i can. i think i can.
Old 11-28-2009, 12:38 AM
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Re: where is the timing tab?

Originally Posted by five7kid
But that's not where it is on a stock '86.
If he gets that close he can feel around and find it
Old 11-28-2009, 01:48 AM
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Re: where is the timing tab?

heres two quick diagrams of the typical mark locations, the first is where Five7kid is saying yours should be, the second is where vetteoz described, it will be in one of those two locations, mounted to the timing cover.(the peice behind the water pump and crank pully)
Attached Thumbnails where is the timing tab?-untitled.jpg   where is the timing tab?-untitled2.jpg  
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Old 11-28-2009, 01:58 AM
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Re: where is the timing tab?

Originally Posted by ericjon262
heres two quick diagrams of the typical mark locations,

A picture's worth a 1000 words
Old 11-28-2009, 03:50 PM
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Re: where is the timing tab?

BY GEORGE I'VE FOUND IT!
Old 11-28-2009, 04:41 PM
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Re: where is the timing tab?

haha good.
Old 11-28-2009, 08:10 PM
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Re: where is the timing tab?

I'd like to know how he is gonna time the motor and aim the timing gun for the carb application or TPI application because of the timing tab being buried down there?
Old 11-28-2009, 08:54 PM
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Re: where is the timing tab?

yes, the timing tab is placed in an ungodly spot. to mark the 0 i used plyers clamped onto a tire pressure gauge with a dab of paint on the end to mark it.
Old 11-28-2009, 11:01 PM
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Re: where is the timing tab?

ha, very creative.
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