When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have a 1982 f350 dually with a 351 Windsor I've rebuilt and am trying to get the timing right. I've run into a problem where there is no timing marks on the timing cover whatsoever so I put the line on the harmonic balancer about at 2 o'clock on compression stroke but still don't think it's quite right. Anyone have any tips maybe about where I should line up at. This is the first engine I've rebuilt so I don't have any experience with timing.
I've run into a problem where there is no timing marks on the timing cover whatsoever so I put the line on the harmonic balancer...
My ‘89 302 and ‘94 351W had a timing pointer that attached to the cover bolts. I’d expect the marks to be cast into the cover if there was no separate pointer. What “line” on the balancer did you use? The groove in the balancer or an actual timing mark?
My ‘89 302 and ‘94 351W had a timing pointer that attached to the cover bolts. I’d expect the marks to be cast into the cover if there was no separate pointer. What “line” on the balancer did you use? The groove in the balancer or an actual timing mark?
The grove shown in the picture above? That is not a timing mark. The timing marks will have several hash marks to set the degrees before and after TDC.
The grove shown in the picture above? That is not a timing mark. The timing marks will have several hash marks to set the degrees before and after TDC.
That's the crank shaft index. TDC #1. The timing marks are on the engine showing degrees. On the plate above the crank. Looks like the numbers are not visible.
That's the crank shaft index. TDC #1. The timing marks are on the engine showing degrees. On the plate above the crank. Looks like the numbers are not visible.
Not on my balancers.
Last edited by My4Fordtrucks; Jan 13, 2025 at 04:34 PM.
Reason: Added pictures
Kind of my point was, hoping the OP would show us what he's working with, as we realize things are different for different engines and years. Mine is an 86 302EFI. I just grabbed a photo that I took some time ago. In the 30 odd years, I've owned the truck, I have not put a timing light on it. The trusted mechanic did some years ago when he replaced the dizzy.
Kind of my point was, hoping the OP would show us what he's working with, as we realize things are different for different engines and years. Mine is an 86 302EFI. I just grabbed a photo that I took some time ago. In the 30 odd years, I've owned the truck, I have not put a timing light on it. The trusted mechanic did some years ago when he replaced the dizzy.
There you go. All the Fords I have have marks engraved in the balancer. Like the picture above, you have to clean them up with sandpaper to see them. I use white-out to mark about 10 BTDC so I can easily see it with the timing light later. You should have a single pointer on the engine. Not saying they never did it, but all my Fords don't have a scale on the engine, only 1 pointer on the engine.
There you go. All the Fords I have have marks engraved in the balancer. Like the picture above, you have to clean them up with sandpaper to see them. I use white-out to mark about 10 BTDC so I can easily see it with the timing light later. You should have a single pointer on the engine. Not saying they never did it, but all my Fords don't have a scale on the engine, only 1 pointer on the engine.
Thanks I'll look for those but what do they line up to? Only thing I could think of is a singular arrow at 12 o'clock on my timing cover
