It seems like it should go one further to me, but then if it did, the timing tab would be sticking out farther than the edge of the balancer..

I know the best way is to install the crank pulley and see if the belt lines up but right now, there are no accessories or anything installed...

 

To me, the balancer should go on alot further. The chevy small block engines that I've assembled, the back edge of the balancer was really close to the timing cover. I would take it back off and make sure that the woodroof key is in properly and look for anything that would prevent it from going on further. The balancer should stop moving when the shaft hits the timing gear.

 

did the bolt tighten to torque? I'd think if it did then it is fully seated, unless there's what the above poster mentioned about the key..
However....that looks slimmer than mines...could be just an illusion though...
If it was me...I'd pop on the water pump or something to check it lines up with the pulley.
Just my opinion though.

 

Yeah, def not on far enough, I mocked up an old alternator, looks like I need another inch...

What's weird though is by the time it goes on far enough, you won't be able to see the timing marks on the balancer at all since they will be blocked completely by the timing marker.... Thoughts?

 

NEVER use the bolt to pull it in. You'll strip the threads in the end of the crank. To properly install the balancer, get some threaded rod the same size as the balancer bolt but long enough to stick past the balancer before it starts to go on the crank. Install the threaded rod into the crank, install the balancer then use a couple of flat washers and a nut to force the balancer on. This way the nut is forcing itself down on the threaded rod and the rod doesn't turn in the threads of the crank. The washers just give less of a friction surface.

 

I borrowed a balancer install tool from O-Reilly's

Still confused as to how i am supposed to read the timing marks on the balancer if they are completed obscured by the timing tab?? Do i just need a different timing tab or something?

 

Judging by the pulley alignment, I'd say it's not on all the way.

Pull the balancer off, pull the timing cover off, reinstall the balancer without the cover to see where it bottoms out. I doubt your timing gear is on wrong or you would never have gotten the cover on.

It's possible you have the wrong balancer for that engine or maybe the key cocked in the keyway and is preventing the balancer from going on any more.

 

15 minutes at 200 degrees and much better...

Hadn't really gone at it too hard before, was afraid of snapping the bolt in the crank snout. Anyway, looks like everything lines up pretty good - there is still about another eighth of an inch for the crank pulley to go back too since it is getting obstructed slotting into the balancer by the powder coat.. if it isn't one thing, it's another

It is a bit concerning that the book I am using to guide me through my build didnt mention not to use the pulley bolt to pull on the balancer, good job I verified on TGO first

 

Still no thoughts on my timing tab

Now the balancer is on all the way, you can barely even see the edge of the balancer - Am I making a mountain out of a mole hill here or should I just look for a different timing tab?

 

Look for a different tab. That one might be designed for a wider balancer.

Before you get too far into it, use a degree wheel and a piston stop to determine exactly when the piston is at TDC then confirm the pointer lines up directly at the mark on the balancer. One engine I put together many years ago seemed to run better with 44 degrees of timing until I discovered the timing marks were 8* off. I used an adjustable timing pointer and corrected the problem.

 

[QUOTE=AlkyIROC;4644236]Look for a different tab. That one might be designed for a wider balancer.

Before you get too far into it, use a degree wheel and a piston stop to determine exactly when the piston is at TDC then confirm the pointer lines up directly at the mark on the balancer. QUOTE]

Some of the BEST ADVICE I've seen in a long, long time. Sadly so few actually take the time to verify Absolute TDC using the Positive Stop method to verify the accuracy of the balancer/timing tab indicators.

Needless to say, when checked and found not to be accurate, the balancer can be re-marked or an adjustable timing tab used so that any future references will be right on.

Jake