Mine is hard to see and impossible to read.

To clear it up once and for all (and maybe post with the tech article on setting the timing in our cars in the tech articles section), is there any chance of someone who has a clear view of theirs to draw an accurate picture (or even take one if you have an engine outside the car) of the bracket?

This would help me and many, many others out!

Cheers!

M

 

I am not sure exactly what you are asking, You want a picture of the Stock Timing Tab Showing TDC, ect ?

 

oops, sorry for the ambiguity.

I'm specifically looking for the jagged bracket that you point the timing light at that marks 0 degrees, 2 advanced, 2 retarded, 4, 6, 8, etc.

My bracket is buried deep and I can't quite get to it to see it clearly.

The description below is good, but still a little ambiguous. Again, I just want to be sure. (Ive got my timing set to what I *THINK* is 6 degrees, but its pinging like a beeyotch).

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If you still can't read what's on your timing mark: Assuming you are standing in front of your car, facing the engine, the "valley" of the biggest of the v-shaped notches should be zero degrees.

The Vs are upside down when you look at them from the front of the car.

The next peak (pointing towards you) to the left of the big V is 4* advanced, one more peak to the left is 6* and so on in 2* increments.

Accordingly, the one and only peak to the right of the big V is 2* retarded.

 

That description sounds about accurate.

however, if your balancer outer ring has slipped, all bets are off.

 

Yes, the description is a good one. But to do away with all ambiguity, can we get a pic (or even have someone draw an ascii diagram!).

 

The engine that is in my car is a TBI one.....well was....the car was TPI so there was no way in hell i was going from TPI to TBI...ne way, the timing tab is ment to be seen by lookn straight down between the A/C and alternator....umm...well the TB is now in the way of that....can i go to the dealer or something and order the correct one so i set the timeing the correct way, not just by adding timing untill it knocks under load and then backing it off.

 

Here is a little more Detail.


AFAIK there are two differnt readily avaliable Timing Tabs for the SBC One wich mounts to the Timing Cover, and one wich bolts to the Side.

Each places TDC in a differant spot

As a result, You need a matching Balancer wich corresponds to that Spot at TDC.

Our engines have stock The Timing tab wich is part of the Cover, and obviously stock have the right balancer. When I went ahead and replaced my Balancer I ordered a OEM Small Block Chevy Balancer from summit. What they sent me was the Narrower yet Solid Balancer found on older 350's.

Stock On our 305's ( I don't know about L98's ) We have the Wider, But Hollow type.

The one they sent me has the Timing Mark in the other spot, corresponding the the bolt on style Timing Tab, wich is found on most older Small blocks.

So obiviously it dosent line up. Dosent really bother me, but..

So basically, You need to Make sure you Balancer and Timing Tab are of the same type. If You Change the tab ( easy to find in the Mr gasket section of the parts store ) You will need to Either change you balancer ( good idea on these high milage cars anyway ) or do a little math and Make yourself a new mark.

Hope that helps

 

I hope this helps. I did a tracing of the tab and took a shot. Note the deep wide V on the drivers side as 0 degrees. Then the peaks of the V's as the other timing indicators.

RBob.

 

This is *exactly* what I was looking for. =) =)

Thanks!