timing help* mark on balancer not showing up.

[VileZambonie]

A piston stop should be soft metal and not interfere with valve movement so be careful making homemade ones. It's not really necessary if you're just checking to see if the balancer mark is close. Just rotate the engine until the rotor is pointing near #1 on the cap. With the number one spark plug out use a coat hanger to touch the top of the piston. Have an assistant slowly turn the crank until the piston is all the way up. The mark on the balancer should line up with zero or the pointer on your timing tab.

[txchainsawgogi]

A piston stop should be soft metal and not interfere with valve movement so be careful making homemade ones. It's not really necessary if you're just checking to see if the balancer mark is close. Just rotate the engine until the rotor is pointing near #1 on the cap. With the number one spark plug out use a coat hanger to touch the top of the piston. Have an assistant slowly turn the crank until the piston is all the way up. The mark on the balancer should line up with zero or the pointer on your timing tab.

rotate? ive heard people on here mention using a breaker bar to turn the engine over...i have no idea how to do that. should i do that or use the key to "bump" the engine? dont i have to unplug a wire on my dist if i do that?

Have an assistant slowly turn the crank until the piston is all the way up. The mark on the balancer should line up with zero or the pointer on your timing tab.

i think i get this part. if it doesnt line up then does this mean i have a "spun" balancer? or just that my distributor was set into the engine wrong?

[Lt.Del]

You can turn the engine usually with 1/2" drive ratchet (5/8 socket i think).  Put her in neutral and block the wheels.

If you don't get enough leverage w/ your ratchet, put a small bar on it.  It should be easy.  Easier still if you take spark plugs out.

[txchainsawgogi]

You can turn the engine usually with 1/2" drive ratchet (5/8 socket i think).  Put her in neutral and block the wheels.

If you don't get enough leverage w/ your ratchet, put a small bar on it.  It should be easy.  Easier still if you take spark plugs out.

haha this sounds stupid but, where do i even put the ratchet? i've got a super long handled ratchet for good leverage.

[Lt.Del]

there is a 5/8" bolt in the middle of the crank pulley for your fan belt. you'll need about a 3 or 4 inch extension, not too long though because your radiator is there.   Turn it clockwise.

[VileZambonie]

Now see, had you put in a piston stop and bumped the key you could have ruined your engine.

Just turn it over manually by rotating the crankshaft bolt like SGTDEL said or turn it by the flexplate and your distributor position has nothing to do with mechanical timing.