I have looked and looked, but all I can find is the "U" shaped notch on the balancer. I Sanded the inner portion of the balancer to try and find the mark but no dice.

I am trying to pass emissions here in NJ and need to time the engine correctly.

I know I could make a new mark at TDC but this will also help me to see if my balancer has slipped the rubber.

Thanks
Dave

 

There's a line that should be scribed across the flat outer circumference edge of the balancer about 60 degrees off from the notch. Wipe it down with an oiled rag and it might help it become visible ~Bill

 

My 1982 4.9 timing mark is in the middle of the white spot on the damper in this photo:

 

I have had people email me pictures etc, but none really showed the Zero Mark on the tab. Here is a good picture of an 86 300, for future reference.

Dave

 

How does one set timing if the mark has/is slipped or slipping on the damper? Consider using a vacuum gauge to set timing.

 

Locate TDC on the compression stroke and make a mark on the damper and a fixed point. Then use a dial back timing light to set the timing.

I set timing using a vacuum gauge. I think it's more accurate and takes into account the actual engine characteristics rather than a generic setting. Just need to be careful because it's easy to get it too advanced. Also easy to fix though..

 

TDC is TDC. The compression stroke thing is for when you need to locate the #1 Plug wire. Just take the #1 plug out and turn the engine over until the piston has stopped coming up. If you go past and it starts to back down you can go back a little. But the best thing to do is go around again.

Remember that the piston will "stay" at TDC for a few degrees of the crank shaft. If you turn the crank and the piston does not move then you are at TDC.

Then use a scribe or an awl and using the pcture above, scribe a line at the 0* mark. You can then turn the engine over until your tick mark is on the bottom of the balancer. This will allow you to get under the truck and really scribe into the balancer.

I suggest getting a soap stone or other WHITE marking device. That way when using said dial back timing light it will be really easy to adjust the timing.

Don't forget to remove the SPOUT "Spark Output" wire before you set the initial timing which for most 300's is 10* initial.

HTH,
Dave

 

For setting the timing mark, I guess you're right - TDC is TDC. I used a vacuum gauge device to find TDC, but also have a screw in TDC finder.

Of course, using a vacuum gauge to set timing doesn't require any of this..

 

Where did you get the tsc screw in tool. I was gonna make one but no one ever says how much has to be in cylinder. Meaning how long to I make it.

 

I got mine from Summit Racing as I recall. I also made an adapter that screws into the spark plug hole and connects to a vacuum gauge. Watch the gauge as you turn the engine over. The gauge needs to show both vacuum and pressure.

As you turn the engine over, you'll either see it pull vacuum (intake stroke) or build pressure (compression stroke). Turn it while watching pressure build and just when it starts to draw a vacuum, go back to where the gauge says 0. This is TDC on the compression stroke. I know TDC is TDC, but this is a good way to find it.

There is a video out there on the web about this as I recall

To use the other tool, I just turn the engine by hand until the piston just touches the stop. Go slow and you won't hurt anything. Mark that location, then turn in the other direction until it stops again. Mark that location also. Halfway between the marks is TDC