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After 4 years, 3 body shops, my '67 vette is finally home. After so many years, I wanted to perform a tune up and started with the timing of the 327 engine. Started by finding TDC for #1 cylinder. Couldn't find a way to turn the crankshaft pulley. Seems there is no bolt on the crankshaft snout. Am I missing something. Been 4 years since the last time I worked on the engine and can't for the life of me remember how i did this, other than bumping the engine over to get TDC which is not ideal. Any advise would be appreciated, even the " u idiot, don't you know.....
I can’t make out what that last picture is, but there should be a bolt. Did you stick your finder in there and feel for a threaded hole?
Just out of curiosity, why do you need TDC to set the timing? Just hook up your timing light to trigger off of plug wire #1 and time away (after removing and plugging vacuum to the distributor if you have vacuum advance of course).
Well, I can't see any of the pictures. Problem is on my end.
Your previous posts indicates you bought a base engine and then converted it to some form of L 79 configuration. If that's the case, your crankshaft won't have a bolt in it. If you feel the need to roll the engine, just grab the fan belt and pull with one hand and push with the other.
Or take the parking brake off and put the car in 4th gear on flat ground and bump the car forward by rotating the left front tire while watching the timing marks... Its really not hard...
Someone had the distributor out at one point, so I want to find TDC and reinstall correctly. Guess the L79 had a pressed on pulley per MikeM suggestion. Will try pulley. Thanks for the quick replies.
Or take the parking brake off and put the car in 4th gear on flat ground and bump the car forward by rotating the left front tire while watching the timing marks... Its really not hard...
I agree with the tire roll in 4th gear also, used it for years. If you have flat ground to work on it helps. If you have to work with a grade keep a block handy in case it decides to keep rolling.
Your previous posts indicates you bought a base engine and then converted it to some form of L 79 configuration. If that's the case, your crankshaft won't have a bolt in it..
Originally Posted by I'minheaven67
Guess the L79 had a pressed on pulley per MikeM suggestion. Will try pulley. Thanks for the quick replies.
Nope. The harmonic damper on an L-79 was retained by a Grade 8 bolt and conical flat washer into the tapped hole in the crankshaft nose; non-SHP hydraulic-lifter engines didn't have a bolt and washer for the damper - they just had a pressed-on damper. All crank pulleys were bolted to the harmonic damper hub.
Last edited by JohnZ; Nov 14, 2018 at 11:59 AM.
Reason: Added "non-SHP" clarification.
Mikes note indicates all base engine crankshafts don't have a bolt on harmonic balancer. The performance 327 did use a bolt in the harmonic balancer. The L79 is a Hydraulic engine and had the bolt on Crankshaft, at least mine does.
If this OP converted a base engine with the base engine crankshaft he won't have a bolt.
Other than the bolt were the two forged crankshafts the same base and Performance?
I know the big block, L88 Crank was a better crankshaft than the standard 427 Crank. Nitrited surface finish.
Mikes note indicates all base engine crankshafts don't have a bolt on harmonic balancer. The performance 327 did use a bolt in the harmonic balancer. The L79 is a Hydraulic engine and had the bolt on Crankshaft, at least mine does.
If this OP converted a base engine with the base engine crankshaft he won't have a bolt.
Other than the bolt were the two forged crankshafts the same base and Performance?
I know the big block, L88 Crank was a better crankshaft than the standard 427 Crank. Nitrited surface finish.
I believe the differences between the SHP crankshaft and the base engine crankshaft are the hardening treatment on the journals, the drilled/tapped damper hole and the balance because of the forged pistons are heavier. I am not aware that the snout where the damper attaches is a different, i think the press fit damper itself is smaller in diameter.
Both are forged and IMO if they are round and balanced they are VERY strong.
I apologize to MikeM, and all who were kind enough for answering my question so quickly. The engine is indeed stock, then converted to a "clone L79", so the crank pulley is not the same as a real L79. Sorry for the confusion.
I decided to just bump the starter to get to TDC, since the car is being stored in a garage with a slope that didn't allow for the 4th gear push technique. Struggled for many years with memory loss, and it's only getting worse, again I apologize.
I apologize to MikeM, and all who were kind enough for answering my question so quickly. The engine is indeed stock, then converted to a "clone L79", so the crank pulley is not the same as a real L79. Sorry for the confusion.
I decided to just bump the starter to get to TDC, since the car is being stored in a garage with a slope that didn't allow for the 4th gear push technique. Struggled for many years with memory loss, and it's only getting worse, again I apologize.
No apology needed....and many here have dicey memories at this point...
I'm lucky I leave the house with my pants on in the morning...
I use a remote starter switch to tap to TDC......Works great!!! Put a connection topside up from the starter solenoid and plug the starter switch into the tapped connector......
I use a remote starter switch to tap to TDC......Works great!!! Put a connection topside up from the starter solenoid and plug the starter switch into the tapped connector......
Best,
dacmick
Been doing it this way for over 50 years..............but pushing the car in gear will also achieve the desired results.
No apology needed....and many here have dicey memories at this point...
I'm lucky I leave the house with my pants on in the morning...
OK, this one hit home. My buddy takes his 93 year old Dad with him Elk Hunting, a group meets at a cabin, 7-10 guys stay in the same place.
In the morning they meet in the kitchen, catch a quick breakfast and then plan the day's hunt.
They are all in the Kitchen drinking coffee getting breakfast cooked and in comes Pappy for his cup of Joe.
His son and grandson are in there already with several of the guys. Pappy starts talking and telling them what he thinks they should do for the day.
His grandson says, Gramps, don't you think you should start by putting some clothes on???? He came in stark naked to grab his coffee at 93 years old.
He had no idea he came in stark naked.
We all laugh, it is such a cool thing that at 93 he can make the trip and he dropped a buck, not an Elk but heck at 93 that is impressive.
He was a rifle instructor in WW2 and the skills have not left him even at 93.
He also made the 770 mile drive to get there.
Enjoy the ride and do what you can at the age that you are. Who the hell care if a little bit of it offends someone.
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Engine Timing
Been doing it this way for over 50 years..............but pushing the car in gear will also achieve the desired results. 
