Invisible timing marks!!
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: PA
Invisible timing marks!!
Just a rant - I spent the last 30min outside, snow falling around me, trying to read the timing on our 95 F-150 with 351w. After staring at it for quite a while, I finally cut the engine to have a look at the wheel while it was still. I could barely make out what looked like marks on it, and with just the timing light they were simply invisible.
I guess the thing to do is go back tomorrow, and sneak my arm in there to darken the lines with a sharpie or something. If I can even pick them out. What a frustrating waste of time.
Dave
I guess the thing to do is go back tomorrow, and sneak my arm in there to darken the lines with a sharpie or something. If I can even pick them out. What a frustrating waste of time.
Dave
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 537
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From: Formerly Nawlins
White paint usually shows better under the timing light. I used to use a white chalk ... get it in the groove and wipe the excess away. I usually only do TDC and the area I am trying to set it at.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
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From: Lafayette, IN
Get UNDERNEATH the truck and sand the rust off the harmonic balancer. It may help to have an assistant bump the starter to get the marks to the bottom.
I prefer the black Sharpie myself. When you've sanded down to bare metal, the metal and the white mark reflect similar amounts of light. The black provides more contrast. Much easier to see.
Jason
I prefer the black Sharpie myself. When you've sanded down to bare metal, the metal and the white mark reflect similar amounts of light. The black provides more contrast. Much easier to see.
Jason
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I use "Whiteout" brushed into the timing mark groove, under a strobe it's a bright white that almost glows luminescent. I kid you not, it turns bright.
(Whiteout is the old correcting fluid from the typewriter days, costs about 50 cents for a little plastic bottle. Keep it with my timing tool kit.)
(Whiteout is the old correcting fluid from the typewriter days, costs about 50 cents for a little plastic bottle. Keep it with my timing tool kit.)
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I share your frustration. After some heavy cleaning and light sanding on the harmonic balancer of my 88 351w, I still cannot make out any timing marks except for the notch for TDC. I guess they just rusted away. =(
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From: PA
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Pensacola, FL
I second the whiteout, it is by far the easiest thing to see that i've used. get it in the groove and wipe excess. i always mark tdc and the correct timing that i'm trying to get.
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I think in our case the problem is finding the marks (other than the notch for TDC) to begin with.
I'm also not use to seeing the various before and after degrees marked on the balancer. In all the other vehicles I serviced, there was a gauge above the pulley for this purpose. I may end up buying a timing tape to get a percise adjustment.
I'm also not use to seeing the various before and after degrees marked on the balancer. In all the other vehicles I serviced, there was a gauge above the pulley for this purpose. I may end up buying a timing tape to get a percise adjustment.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 4
From: Lafayette, IN
The notch isn't it. Look elsewhere on the balancer. There will be a mark like the rest for TDC. Larger marks for 0,10 and 20 BTDC and 10 ATDC, if my memory serves.
If I can't find the marks, I sand the whole balancer with about a 1"x12" (or longer) piece of 100 grit cloth-backed sandpaper. That way I can hold it like a shoe-shine guy would and get it all quickly. Engine off, of course.
Jason
If I can't find the marks, I sand the whole balancer with about a 1"x12" (or longer) piece of 100 grit cloth-backed sandpaper. That way I can hold it like a shoe-shine guy would and get it all quickly. Engine off, of course.
Jason
Last edited by jroehl; Jan 26, 2007 at 03:09 PM.
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