Thread: Quick SBC timing questions

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Hi, im going through my first SBC v8, its a 84 305 chevy

Q1, I installed a new timing chain (i lined the dot pointing toward each other) and now im having trouble find TDC on #1. Is 1 at TDC when both dots point up?

Q2, I purchased a chrome timing cover and the stocker has the timing tab welded directly above the crank...the chrome one takes a bolt on one the mount to the driver side....now with the harmonic balancer is at TDC the groove will nolonger point at 0 cause the tab as been moved over...Do i need a different harmonic balancer? I was reading that there are a 7.25 and a 8" one for SBC im guessing i have the 7.25 inch

Q3 When instaling the distibutor i can only get is to fo in fully at 2 positions .. when at TDC (i think,dots point up) the dist. goes in with the rotor point in fron a little to the drivers side or 180 from that... so i looked in a manual and saw that where it points is fire for #1 am i right?

NO.1 Yes both up is TDC no.1
.2 You need a different timing tab.
.3 look down in the distrib hole with a light, you will see a slot on the end of the oil pump drive. This goes up into the distrib gear, it only will fit two ways. Take a Loong screwdriver and reach down and turn the oil pump slot. Keep turning it (trial and error) till you can get the distrib to go all the way down with the rotor pointing where you want it.

im still argueing with people about TDC and the dots on the timing gear

what position are the dots of the timing gears at tdc