73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Performance => Topic started by: hogwild on October 30, 2007, 08:11:37 PM
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is 400 timing pointer different than other sbc ? , i baught a chrome cover for sbc and the pointer is off to side , i am not sure if it should be in the middle or off to side on my 400
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I just swapped out a sb 400 for a TBI 350 and the pointer on the 400 was in the same location as the 350 as far as I could tell
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That's correct location. 305's have em in the middle...
One thing you should do is verify your marks when the piston is at true TDC...
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thanks for the fast replies ,geus i do have the correct pointer. i went and looked at a freinds 400 and pointer is in the middle, sounds like he is going to be pissed when i tell him its a 305. i cant check true tdc i have put the cover on , when i put balancer pointing strait up both valves are closed and when i turn it 1/8 of a turn they are still closed, any more ideas?
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yeah they will stay closed when you are on tdcc. You can pull the spark plug out and get a bright light. Look in the spark plug hole and see the piston physically reach TDC.
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wrong answer ! . motor is all done and in truck and timing pointer should have been strait up . now what ?. i cant set timing
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Here's a few pics of the same problem. I got a new balancer and found the mark was in a different place. I found the top location a pain to see the mark so I welded the tab off to the side using the old one for reference and then cut a 2nd slot with a hacksaw on the new balancer.
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think i will do the same, but use a timing tape. only problem is i dont know were strait up is and motor is in truck and running
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The best way to find TDC is by using a piston stop.
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If you pull the spark plug out and get a light and inspection mirror you can visually see TDC accurate enough to make a timing mark. the best way to find TDC is with a dial indicator
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flash light and a mirror to find tdc, coming from the one who steered me wrong in the first place this advise dosent suprise me, i will buy a piston stop and do it rite this time thanks >:(
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flash light and a mirror to find tdc, coming from the one who steered me wrong in the first place this advise dosent suprise me, i will buy a piston stop and do it rite this time thanks >:(
A piston stop is used for degreeing in your cam when the heads are installed. Finding the mark on your balancer vs the timing tab is going to be easiest to visualize without pulling the heads but hey I steered you wrong in the first place right? and this "dosen't" surprise you?
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piston stops are used to find tdc period , i will buy one set tdc make new mark end of problem. not wanting to be the enemy here, i will appolagise for my sarcasem and my spelling .
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Keep it civil here, nothing said was "wrong". If you don't like someones advise, ignore it. It isn't acceptable behavior to attack fellow members.
If the engine is in the truck running, pull the plug out of the #1 cylinder and put your finger over it and have someone bump it over with the coil unplugged, that will get you close enough. The only way you are going to find actual TDC in relation to the timing mark is to pull the head off and put a dial indicator on it.
A piston stop is going to stop the piston from reaching actual TDC, it will work just as well as putting your finger over the plug hole. Any of these suggestions are were fine.
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The only way you are going to find actual TDC in relation to the timing mark is to pull the head off and put a dial indicator on it.
A piston stop is going to stop the piston from reaching actual TDC, it will work just as well as putting your finger over the plug hole. Any of these suggestions are were fine.
The piston stop is inserted into #1 cylinder and the engine is rotated (SLOWLY) till it makes contact. Then draw a line from your timing indicator 0* to the balancer. Now spin the engine the opposite direction (SLOWLY) until it stops again. Draw a line from 0* on the timing tab to the balancer. Exact TDC will be between the two marks.
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piston stops are used to find tdc period , i will buy one set tdc make new mark end of problem. not wanting to be the enemy here, i will appolagise for my sarcasem and my spelling .
A piston stop (one that threads into the sparkplug hole) is used for degreeing in the camshaft while the heads are installed. It is not intended nor will it make you find an accurate mark on your balancer vs timing tab or pointer anymore accurate than visualizing it. I never gave you any "WRONG" information but I'll try to remember not to offer you any help in the future.
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pugsy hit nail on head , ville this thread would have ended a long time ago had your info been correct. 400,s do have timing pointer at 12 o,clock, i welcome advise as long as the person giving it is 100%sure . i am sorry if i have offended you, but you were wrong accept it
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I have owned 3 400 SB chevy engines. NONE of them have had the pointer at 12 o'clock. The only thing wrong with this thread is the way acted.
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Am I missing the point? either way would suffice as there is adjustment to the timing anyway?
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pugsy hit nail on head , ville this thread would have ended a long time ago had your info been correct. 400,s do have timing pointer at 12 o,clock,
Did you miss my early warning about bashing others on the forum?
Are you reading anything that is being posted here? When this started you didn't know where the timing tab was, now you are sure you are right and the 2 people that answered you are wrong.
Pugsy never said the timing mark on a 400 was at 12'oclock, he said that his timing cover had a tab at 12 oclock and he MOVED it so it would work. His motor is a 350 NOT a 400.
400 SBC are like all other SBC that has the timing tab on the side. The exception is the 305's that have the timing tab at 12 o'clock.
we pulled a 400 out of a truck 2 weeks ago, the timing tab is on the side, the truck was a factory original motor from 1977 that had never been removed from the truck. Vile and I are 100% sure of where it is located, you are the one unsure. We are the only ones that have answered you question on where the timing tab is.
As for finding TDC with a motor install (something you failed to indicated when you posted this question), you have 3 easy ways,
1) pugsys way, purchase a piston stop, mark the balancer and divide the area in half and mark the middle. This will get you close enough
2) pulll the coil wire, pull the #1 Plug out put you finger over it and bump it over until it blows your finger off. This will get you close enough also.
3) Viles way, pull the spark plug out and get a light and inspection mirror you can visually see TDC accurate enough to make a timing mark. This will get you close enough also.
hogwild this is you second warning and LAST warning to STOP bashing fellow members. Don't make me lock this thread...
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not trying to bash anyone , and twice now i have apollagised . somone is wrong here wether it is me or somone else does not matter, how ever it would be nice to figure this out . i have two 350 s in my shop rite now with pointers at 12 o"clock , both have never been taken apart. i checked casting nubers and they are both 350 ci, that tells me that not only 305 have pointer strait up
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The 12 o'clock position wasn't used until 1984-95 with the 6.75" balancer. They didn't make the 400 then. You are too worried about calling someone out here rather than fixing your problem... Check the size of your balancer and the casting #'s on your block and heads if you're that concerned with your mystery but give it a rest already with your nonsense
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Since both Vile and I have answered you correctly, I would say this topic is covered. Thanks for the reminder Vile, I forgot about the small diameter balancer 350's.