i have the wrong timing tab! the idiot who changed the head gaskets in my engine decided to change all the gaskets and put a different timing cover on my engine and the wrong timing tab, its at 2 o'clock instead of 12, its a 305, i bought the car off him thinking it was all right, its obviously not, i got it close (atleast i would like to think so) its carbed with all the basic stuff excluding a pete jackson gear drive, how do i time it? its driving my insane, and help would be awesome

 

Replace the balancer, or find TDC and make a new mark.

 

Because balancers are available in different diameters, the balancer AND the timing tab have to be matched to each other. Even then (using a matched pair) I'd use the positive stop method to verify that ZERO is, actually, ZERO.

This verification of ZERO is a step that is all too often skipped or overlooked but is an essential step if knowing the ACTUAL timing is the goal.

Jake