Guys I posted this in my engine buildup, but some of you might have missed it or did not take special consideration of it since there were many pictures posted.

When I was putting on my balancer, which is marked with its OWN timing marks, which allowed me use of a single pointer I compared the timing numbers on the balancer to that of the generic pointer I had laying around my garage. To my surprise there was a HUGE difference in timing layout/spacing. Here is a picture of the difference:



As you can see the balancer reports back a lesser span 10* where the generic tab is not even to 8*!!!

THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM if your using one of these generic timing tabs and trying to get your base timing set off it.

I know many of you guys have aftermarket motors like the ZZ4 shortblock or upgraded your motors and may have put one of these tabs on your setup.

Its really worth taking a look at.

This timing tab was suppose to be for this size balancer also.

Just thought I would again point this out to you all for it may help some people that are having knock counts with base set at 6* and do not know why.

Moral of the story is 6* on your timing tab might not be 6* at all. More like 8-9* :crazy:

 

very good point Jesse. The multi marked pointer is probably for a larger damper. I alway use the marks on the damper and just use the pointer at zero. however stock dampers only have one mark.

 

Ralph.

Yes the stock ones only have 1 mark, and this pointer was suppose to work on this size balancer, so the timing marks should be equal :cheers:

 

Oh yeah, here isa pic of my Fancy "paper weight Timing Cover,, the black mark is the true TDC from the damper

 

Measure the diameter of the damper and calculate the circumference. Then you can divide 360 degrees by the circumference and get how many degrees there are for each inch of circumference. Compare that with the distance for 10 degrees on your damper to see if it is accurate.

 

If the scanner jibes with the pointer, should it be OK?

 

The degree spacing isn't likely to be off. Chevy uses different sized dampers and different timing tabs. It is the starting point that has to be verified. With the engine at true TDC, best checked when degreeing the cam, the pointer must be aligned with the "O" mark on the damper. Or vice versa with stock components. If zero is correct, everything else will be. Good luck, and...

RACE ON!!!

 

I believe so, but that is a bit of a brain teaser.

If the base timing is set at 6* and it recorded in the tune as such, it should indicate with the ECS plugged it the same timing as the scanner reports out on the balancer timing marks. ie 25* at idle. :cheers:

 

The EASE shows both actual vs. TDC, and to "reference", to which it's precisely 6* less. Now it didn't dawn on me to check the balancer at the time, but knowing what I do now, it should be easy to verify.

 

i just cut the generic pointer like pictured above to a point and adjusted it ot the zero mark on the balancer at tdc. my balancer is marked off to 60 degrees, but you stock people can do this and use an adjustable timing light, they work great anyway.