Timing tape

[MikeyT]

Hey guys,

Total noob question here! I am looking to add timing tape on my 1972 big block to get things set a little more closely. How does on determine where to start the tape at on the balancer

thanks in advance.
Mikey

 

[coloradodave]

TDC ('0') on the tape has to line up with the timing mark (line) on the balancer.

 

[texas69bee]

But make sure you know where TDC is by physically checking and then marking it on the balancer.

 

[Daves69]

But make sure you know where TDC is by physically checking and then marking it on the balancer.

If it's an older balancer I'd also mark the inner ring when marking the O.D. It can help verify any slippage.

 

[Mopars & Missiles]

That tape is worthless IMO. Could never get it to stay on, within a couple minutes of starting the engine it was flying off.

Just measure and make some marks on the damper with a Sharpie or similar. All you really need is marks for about 60 degrees BTDC through the existing marks up to TDC.

 

[440+6]

How about a dial back timing light?

 

[Mopars & Missiles]

How about a dial back timing light?

Yep, that's what I use too.

 

[Ranger16]

Same here. It's by far the easiest.

 

[Kerplunk]

What worked well for me in the past is make sure everything nice and clean apply your timing tape and then give it a few coats of high temp clear coat.

 

[Mopars & Missiles]

What worked well for me in the past is make sure everything nice and clean apply your timing tape and then give it a few coats of high temp clear coat.

Glad it worked for you, but that exact procedure was used the second time I tried timing tape and the result was the same as the first time. Tape came off within a short amount of time, stuff is worthless and not worth the time to apply it. Again, my opinion, yours may vary.

Also, if you aren't real careful when applying the tape, you can easily stretch it making it inaccurate, and once again "worthless".

Just invest in a good dial back timing light and save yourself a lot of headaches.

 

[ykf7b0]

What worked well for me in the past is make sure everything nice and clean apply your timing tape and then give it a few coats of high temp clear coat.

This too has worked for me. I removed the balancer, cleaned it with paint thinner, and applied the timing tape and used several coats of clear letting it completely dry before applying the next coat. I would have to sand it off to remove it.

 

[Kerplunk]

My only problem with dial back timing lights is they sometimes get flaky depending on the type of ignition system you run, I know MSD doesn't recommend them with their ignitions, because of the multiple spark.

 

[Mopars & Missiles]

That could be, never used MSD, just the MP transistorized ignition. I can see where some of the multiple spark capacitive discharge systems (MSD) might cause a problem with a timing light.

I guess I didn't get the damper clean enough when I did mine twice. Also, trying to get the tape on straight and tight was a PITA. Once it stretched slightly, I was done with it.

Were you installing it with engine IN the car? Or engine OUT on a stand? Probably makes a BIG difference. I was trying to install it on an engine IN the car.

 

[ykf7b0]

Engine in car. After I had TDC located using a bump stop I then removed the balancer, cleaned, installed tape, and cleared the heck out of it.

 

[Mopars & Missiles]

But the BALANCER/dampner was OFF the engine. Same as having the engine out of the car, maybe better. Much, much easier to get it clean, aligned perfectly, and coated. I didn't have that luxury. Good to know that it WILL work if done like you have demonstrated.

 

[ykf7b0]

But the BALANCER/dampner was OFF the engine. Same as having the engine out of the car, maybe better. Much, much easier to get it clean, aligned perfectly, and coated. I didn't have that luxury. Good to know that it WILL work if done like you have demonstrated.

Thanks! Not a big job to remove the balancer on my 440 powered 69 roadrunner with no ac or power steering.

 

[polywideblock]

if your not on a strict budget wouldn't it be easier to just replace with a "proper" degreed balancer like
http://www.ebay.com/itm/90013-BB-Mo...ash=item2ef114f9da:g:aoAAAOSwkl5XctWS&vxp=mtr
do it once and do it right