Balancer Timing Mark

[1toolguy]

Yesterday I used a piston stop (heads are on so it's a screw in style) to verify TDC. I set the timing mark at 10ATDC and screwed the stop in, I rotated the crank until it hit the stop again at 2BTDC. I did this procedure a couple of times with the same result each time. By my math this is telling me that my timing mark is off about 6-degrees, which would explain why my engine seems to prefer 20 degrees of advance over 14. Does that sound right?

 

[440+6]

You need to rotate the engine until it stops, then rotate in the opposite direction until it stops.
You will have two marks, split the difference and that's tdc.

 

[miller]

Sorta what he did. If the results keep showing the same, probably right.

Don't know these days, but they used to make off-set keys, to correct that on balancers.

 

[Daves69]

I would remark the balancer outer ring for zero. Also, continue the mark to include the inner to verify the outer is not slipping.

 

[Shorthorse]

I would remark the balancer outer ring for zero. Also, continue the mark to include the inner to verify the outer is not slipping.

Great idea on the inner & outer markings. I'd mark the new "0" at the timing chain cover pointer or apply a new timing tape. That way it would be easier to see with a timing light. If you just remark the balancer, you still have to do the math. I'm too old for all that math.