Your harmonic balancer and timing tab don't match? My car runs best when the timing mark is about an inch to the left of timing tab....if I set the car to 12* (which was recommended by several people in this site for my engine) the car runs horribly; backfiring through the carb and what not.

I can't really get my engine dialed in unless the timing is set properly. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

There is such a thing as an adjustable timing tab. It attaches to the timing chain cover bolts and can be moved around to accomodate your needs.

Once you get it installed (five minutes or less) then you need to find true TDC on number one and adjust the tab to it.

Finding TDC is not hard. You need to be able to rotate the crank by hand both clockwise and counterclockwise.

- Remove #1 sparkplug
- Insert piston stop (like a spark plug except longer)
- S-L-O-W-L-Y rotate engine (either direction, doesn't matter) until the piston hits the stop.
- Mark the balancer using a fixed reference point on the block.
- Rotate engine in the opposite direction (again, S-L-O-W-L-Y) until piston hits stop.
- Mark balancer again using same fixed reference point.
- TDC is exactly half way between the two marks
- Rotate engine to TDC then adjust your timing tab.

[This message has been edited by MikeM79 (edited May 16, 2005).]

Mike is dead on.

If you don't have the money or time to get an adjustable tab, then you could re mark your damper.

I have done that in the past.

Find TDC like Mike said

Then place a straight edge on tab alined with the 0* mark, then use something to mark the damper that will show up good.

If damper is orange, red, blue, etc then a black sharpie marker pen will work great.

If it's black or other dark color then you will need something white or red to make your mark with.

I think they have colored sharpies now, so that could work, but when I use to do this, they didnt. So I had to use a paint pen filled with white model car paint. Made my line then had to let it sit and dry over night.

Now when you shoot the tab and damper with your light, you just use the new mark you painted/drawed on. Forget about the old hash mark (groove cut in damper)

Hey guys, don't forget that some of those balancers during the smog years were marked off-center. The timing mark was not in line with the crank-keyway. Make sure you have the right tab for the right balancer.
Rich