damper timing pointer is way off
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 43
Likes: 7
damper timing pointer is way off
This was my plan....
Prior to installing distributor, move crankshaft to TDC of #1 cylinder (front passenger side) as follows. Turn crank CW while observing #1 intake pushrod (2nd valve back on passenger side), stop when it just fully closes down, continue power stroke until 0degTDC on damper scale. Verify piston can be seen thru spark plug hole with minimal plug clearance. Install distributor body into block with vacuum ballast aiming as desired for best maintainability, and even aim rotor to #1 direction if desired. Personal preference was vacuum ballast aiming to driver side while rotor points forward. Remember this is after distributor spins during drop-in.
....but it looks like my damper timing pointer says TDC when piston is nowhere near top of cylinder.
How would I go about marking damper for the real #1 TDC, or mounting new pointer to align with existing mark?
Prior to installing distributor, move crankshaft to TDC of #1 cylinder (front passenger side) as follows. Turn crank CW while observing #1 intake pushrod (2nd valve back on passenger side), stop when it just fully closes down, continue power stroke until 0degTDC on damper scale. Verify piston can be seen thru spark plug hole with minimal plug clearance. Install distributor body into block with vacuum ballast aiming as desired for best maintainability, and even aim rotor to #1 direction if desired. Personal preference was vacuum ballast aiming to driver side while rotor points forward. Remember this is after distributor spins during drop-in.
....but it looks like my damper timing pointer says TDC when piston is nowhere near top of cylinder.
How would I go about marking damper for the real #1 TDC, or mounting new pointer to align with existing mark?
Parts Nerd Extraordinaire
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,378
Likes: 1,787
From: Western NY
A few things:
1) Are you checking against the actual cylinder #1:
2) It isn't uncommon for the harmonic balancer to shift. If it has shifted, it's best to replace/rebuild it. You don't want it to actually slip off and take out the radiator and more! The https://damperdoctor.com/ is an example of a place that may rebuild.
3) Be sure that your timing cover, pointer, and balancer are a matched set as various applications used different components.
1) Are you checking against the actual cylinder #1:
2) It isn't uncommon for the harmonic balancer to shift. If it has shifted, it's best to replace/rebuild it. You don't want it to actually slip off and take out the radiator and more! The https://damperdoctor.com/ is an example of a place that may rebuild.
3) Be sure that your timing cover, pointer, and balancer are a matched set as various applications used different components.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 197
Likes: 32
From: Atlanta
This was my plan....
Prior to installing distributor, move crankshaft to TDC of #1 cylinder (front passenger side) as follows. Turn crank CW while observing #1 intake pushrod (2nd valve back on passenger side), stop when it just fully closes down, continue power stroke until 0degTDC on damper scale. Verify piston can be seen thru spark plug hole with minimal plug clearance. Install distributor body into block with vacuum ballast aiming as desired for best maintainability, and even aim rotor to #1 direction if desired. Personal preference was vacuum ballast aiming to driver side while rotor points forward. Remember this is after distributor spins during drop-in.
....but it looks like my damper timing pointer says TDC when piston is nowhere near top of cylinder.
How would I go about marking damper for the real #1 TDC, or mounting new pointer to align with existing mark?
Prior to installing distributor, move crankshaft to TDC of #1 cylinder (front passenger side) as follows. Turn crank CW while observing #1 intake pushrod (2nd valve back on passenger side), stop when it just fully closes down, continue power stroke until 0degTDC on damper scale. Verify piston can be seen thru spark plug hole with minimal plug clearance. Install distributor body into block with vacuum ballast aiming as desired for best maintainability, and even aim rotor to #1 direction if desired. Personal preference was vacuum ballast aiming to driver side while rotor points forward. Remember this is after distributor spins during drop-in.
....but it looks like my damper timing pointer says TDC when piston is nowhere near top of cylinder.
How would I go about marking damper for the real #1 TDC, or mounting new pointer to align with existing mark?
Which motor? V8 or 6?
I noticed the same thing on my 223 6 when I replaced the distributor. Using the old number one spark plug removal and feeling for compression stroke has the pointer very far away from timing marks. But when using a timing light the marks are lined up correctly, so it doesn't appear the balancer has spun.
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