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Timing mark 351w

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Old Jun 15, 2021 | 06:54 AM
  #1  
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Timing mark 351w

1995 F150, i suspect the ignition timing is too advanced, want to take the light to it and see what shes doing. Looking at my harmonic balancer i only see one mark, common sense would grant that this a factory timing mark, but ive seen many other OBS fords with the gauge for TDC instead of this, im guessing this is an aftermarket harmonic balancer?
 
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Old Jun 15, 2021 | 08:52 AM
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Never seen one for a Ford that did not have a scale on the balancer. Where is your pointer?
 
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Old Jun 15, 2021 | 11:20 AM
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Originally Posted by jas88
Never seen one for a Ford that did not have a scale on the balancer. Where is your pointer?

Right up top where it should be
 
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Old Jun 15, 2021 | 11:50 AM
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Unless someone knows for sure what the mark is for, I would assume it is for TDC 0 degrees. It has to have a starting point if nothing else is on the balancer.
 
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Old Jun 15, 2021 | 12:00 PM
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I would assume it is a meaningless notch on the balancer. There has to be a place on the balancer with the different degree marks otherwise how would you know where to set it for 10° BTDC ?
 
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Old Jun 15, 2021 | 12:31 PM
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This is from a post in 07 on. FTE. No clue if it applies to yours. Others have said use a scotch brite pad on the balancer to clean it up and the marks should show and probably faint. Or setting 0* like in the post is one way to get close to 10*BTDC when timing if you can't find marks.


"The notch is actually a timing reference for a magnetic probe. The timing probe was inserted in the bracket with a tube like adapter seen on your picture. This probe is part of a large engine analyzer or a separate dedicated tool. I haven't seen many handheld timing analyzers with the probe. Milton used to make one many years ago. The timing analyzer or large engine analyzer measures and factors in the offset."

"The notch is not a timing mark for a timing light. There should be a scale on the underside of the pulley. If the scale is gone you can always remove the distributor cap, remove spark plug # 1 and place a small, sealed paper cone in the spark plug hole and turn the engine by hand until the distributor rotor points to spark plug cable #1 and the paper cone has popped off. At this point, check that the piston has traveled all the way up in the cylinder. You can make your own mark at this time. Cylinder #1 will be at TDC in the compression stroke. This is 0° or TDC".
 
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Old Jun 15, 2021 | 05:19 PM
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Originally Posted by sandymane
This is from a post in 07 on. FTE. No clue if it applies to yours. Others have said use a scotch brite pad on the balancer to clean it up and the marks should show and probably faint. Or setting 0* like in the post is one way to get close to 10*BTDC when timing if you can't find marks.


"The notch is actually a timing reference for a magnetic probe. The timing probe was inserted in the bracket with a tube like adapter seen on your picture. This probe is part of a large engine analyzer or a separate dedicated tool. I haven't seen many handheld timing analyzers with the probe. Milton used to make one many years ago. The timing analyzer or large engine analyzer measures and factors in the offset."

"The notch is not a timing mark for a timing light. There should be a scale on the underside of the pulley. If the scale is gone you can always remove the distributor cap, remove spark plug # 1 and place a small, sealed paper cone in the spark plug hole and turn the engine by hand until the distributor rotor points to spark plug cable #1 and the paper cone has popped off. At this point, check that the piston has traveled all the way up in the cylinder. You can make your own mark at this time. Cylinder #1 will be at TDC in the compression stroke. This is 0° or TDC".
Found the scale, under paint Haha. guess the big white dash led me to think the numbers would be white too, set my initial timing to 10, timing wasnt advanced, it was retarded, Somewhere between 4-6. plugged back in the spout, self adjusted to a steady 20. Drives great now though
 
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Old Jun 15, 2021 | 05:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Mickw
Found the scale, under paint Haha. guess the big white dash led me to think the numbers would be white too, set my initial timing to 10, timing wasnt advanced, it was retarded, Somewhere between 4-6. plugged back in the spout, self adjusted to a steady 20. Drives great now though
Great. Glad you got it done.
 
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Old Jun 15, 2021 | 05:42 PM
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X2...thanks for the update.
 
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Old Jun 15, 2021 | 05:48 PM
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Originally Posted by rla2005
X2...thanks for the update.
thank you guys for the help
 
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Old Sep 29, 2024 | 08:20 PM
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Learning about timing

Originally Posted by sandymane
This is from a post in 07 on. FTE. No clue if it applies to yours. Others have said use a scotch brite pad on the balancer to clean it up and the marks should show and probably faint. Or setting 0* like in the post is one way to get close to 10*BTDC when timing if you can't find marks.


"The notch is actually a timing reference for a magnetic probe. The timing probe was inserted in the bracket with a tube like adapter seen on your picture. This probe is part of a large engine analyzer or a separate dedicated tool. I haven't seen many handheld timing analyzers with the probe. Milton used to make one many years ago. The timing analyzer or large engine analyzer measures and factors in the offset."

"The notch is not a timing mark for a timing light. There should be a scale on the underside of the pulley. If the scale is gone you can always remove the distributor cap, remove spark plug # 1 and place a small, sealed paper cone in the spark plug hole and turn the engine by hand until the distributor rotor points to spark plug cable #1 and the paper cone has popped off. At this point, check that the piston has traveled all the way up in the cylinder. You can make your own mark at this time. Cylinder #1 will be at TDC in the compression stroke. This is 0° or TDC".
THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION! I am freaking out since I already tore my 94 f150 5.8 4x4 xlt apart, get parts Thursday and have never done this before. Thank You! Thank You!
I can handle the rotor points to #1 plug wire, piston at top of cylinder
So then by rights, the dot on top gear is in-line with key-way on bottom gear. Correct?

First time replacing oil pump. Timing chain and gears. I value everyone's thoughts and input. Greatly Appreciate your help THANKS EVERYONE
 

Last edited by Diesel 115lbs Bull Terrier; Sep 29, 2024 at 08:26 PM. Reason: Add pictures
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Old Sep 29, 2024 | 11:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Diesel 115lbs Bull Terrier
I can handle the rotor points to #1 plug wire, piston at top of cylinder
So then by rights, the dot on top gear is in-line with key-way on bottom gear. Correct?
…points to #1 terminal on the cap on the compression stroke.

The dot on the cam gear points to the dot on the crankshaft gear.

 
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