hey, just got a timing light and was trying to check the timing, and the mark is way off, even with the wire disconected(one by the firewall)

the balancer was replaced last year, could the balancer be the problem, not being installed right?

if so how do i correct this?


and the next question, what is a good base timing to go for with a 87 ta 305 tpi auto, mostly stock, rapid fire sp, polished plenum and match runners, good tune up just completed?

 

6* (stock) is what you should use.

What makes you think it's the balancer and not that the timing is off with the dist? The balancer is keyed. It can only go on one way and front and back sides are different so it can't be "reversed".

If you suspect the balancer, replace it (approx $40 to buy a new Dorman one) or verify it with a piston stop. You need to disconnect the push rods on the cylinder you use the piston stop on.

Or, you could losen the distributor hold down and set the timing to 6* and see how it goes?

Always use 6* unless your PROM is changed to match some other timing. Why you would use anything else, I don't know.

 

i think it is the balancer as the mark is almost facing the ground head on when the wire is disconected

 

Was something else changed other than the balancer?

 

nope, just the balancer, had my mechanic do it, he seems pretty compentent with this car, (bought it from him) anyhoo, this has got me a little worried, the car runs fine tho

 

Jack the car up, use ramps, or use a mirror, whatever. Bump it over till the timing mark is pointing down. Check the key for the crank. The timing mark should be 7* advanced from the key. It's not a whole lut, just a bit. http://tinyurl.com/c4t9e . See the keyway in the middle? If it's not what is depicted, it's the balancer, it's not uncommon. If it is, something else is the problem....timing chain perhaps?

 

thanks, will do

 

alright, too much stuff in the way to see if there was a key way there

 

Use a little mirror, one of the ones a girl uses to comb the back of her hair works great.