I purchased this replacement balancer, http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RN...e%7c5.0L%2f305

Before replacing, I checked base timing (unplugging esc) and it was at 0* where it should have been. Old balancer grove lined up with 0* mark on tab. Left timing as is. I made sure the grove on the new balancer was positioned the same as the old, it was. And the keyway for the balancer is there in the crank and the balancer does not feel like it moves out of place. Now after passing emissions I was going to set timing 4 or 6* advanced. The mark on the balancer is no where close to the timing tab. The mark on balancer is rotated towards the power steering pump(drivers side), like it is super retarded. My timing light was attached to the #1 plug. What would throw this off so much? Seems like I will have to time by ear.

 

I ran into this same problem a while back. It turned out that I was looking at the balancer wrong when comparing everything. At some point, Chevy decided to switch to timing from the top vs. timing from the side using the old timing tab. I had a tab, but couldn't get the thing to time to save my life (305 V8). I ended up buying a balancer made by Professional Products that had the standard timing marks from 0 to 60 degrees as well as marks for timing from the top. Problem solved. I am guessing the new balancer you have was designed to time from the top. The part number for the PP balancer is 80000. Hope that helps.

 

You can remark your balancer, put on a different tab, put on an aftermarket cover, or replace the balancer.

 

My timing tab is on top. Always was timed from the top.

 

Yes, but your balancer is timed from the side.

 

It is set up as the original which was timed from top. I am just wondering how identical parts would time in diff locations.

 

Perhaps they sent you the wrong part by mistake???

 

You stacked the two balancers, aligned the keyways, and the TDC marks are in exactly the same position?

 

Yes and been running fine as normal, I wanted to adjust timing today and ran into this. New balancer has been on a few weeks. If timing had been thrown I would notice.

 

Have you tried another timing light to see if you have the same issue?

 

Inductive , adj. timing lights are known to be inaccurate sometimes, get a hold of an old school light w/ the spring thingy on it to clip to the plug and wire and check it. When using inductive timing lights, make sure the #1 wire is isolated along w/ the inductive clamp from the other wires. I have seen this problem before, even w/ a good light....

 

My light is a basic inductive with no adjustments.

 

Ok, I didn't see that you'd had it running already, I thought this was freshly installed. Pull the balancer off and check where the TDC mark is in relation to the keyway.

 

I manually got engine to tdc and the mark on the balancer was lined directly with 0° on the tab. The rotor was pointing at the #1 plug wire also. Maybe my light is on the fritz.

 

If you use the inductive light try isolating the clip as far as you can from any other spark wires or any other type of wire, they pickup electric fields all around them.....