Hi all (again!),

I seem to be asking a lot of questions here lately, please bear with me. I went to install my distributor today (finishing up a new timing chain and rear main seal job). So, I pull #1 piston to about TDC on the compression stroke, ready to aim the rotor at the #1 cylinder on the distributor cap. However, the only mark I see on my damper is a groove about 1/8" wide, maybe 1/16" deep.....and it's exactly 180° away from the pointer. I think you guys told me that there are degree marks on my balancer, but it was rusted pretty bad, and now it's freshly sandblasted and painted (no marks left). My thought is to install the distributor like I normally would, and ignore the fact that the balancer is not really denoting TDC. I'll worry about exact timing later. Does this sound good to you guys??

Thanks!!

 

Nope!

Get yourself a new balancer with timing marks. Sounds like they blasted it a little heavy and ruined it.

 

Galaxie, I'm more worried about the mark being 180* out from the pointer. Not to insult your intelligence, but are you using the correct #1 cylinder? (passenger side front)

 

Yep, I naturally go to that cylinder, but I had to prove it to my Chevy pal who is also scratching his head on this subject. I pointed out the handy cast-in numbers on the intake. Our main question is, what is that mark on the damper for? It seems odd to have it exactly 180° away. I know Eric is right about a new part, but my wallet is stinging already on this ol' plow truck.

 

The timing marks on the balancer are (were) approx. 180 deg away from the groove in the balancer. You can't use that groove to set the timing.