really really stupid TDC question

[buffblazer]

ok bare with me im having a brain fart. when finding TDC on a 350 from the 80's or 70's do you find it by lining up the harmonic balancer line up with the 0 on the timing mark? when i was in the shop, all the cars i did had it pointing straight up and lined up with a mark on the block, but on my 350 i cant find a mark???? im thinking it has to be straight up but how to know exactly without a mark? or am i just not seeing the mark? i know this is probably a really dumb question but im confused (not very hard to do for me.)

 

[ryoken]

it's not just lining the mark up with the pointer. you could still be 180 out, as the crank revolves twice...

disconnect coil wire. take out the #1 plug (ds front). put finger over hole, turn motor over till you get compression, keep turning the balancer over till the line is at the pointer.. thats TDC...

you can also do this by watching the #1 int and exh valve with the vc off...

 

[buffblazer]

ok good so it is the 0 on the pointer then? that makes life a little more simple.

 

[ryoken]

ok good so it is the 0 on the pointer then?

yes, unless the balancer has failed and spun, but that is not overly common...

 

[buffblazer]

no it hasent im just assembling the motor and im at the point where i have to tightn my rockers.

 

[ryoken]

then you better off just watching the #1 valves.. after the int comes down, turn over till the line is at zero...

 

[buffblazer]

thanks i will do that, i get off work in 10 mins so in about an hour i should start working on it, and hopefully all goes well.