Timing setting question.

[SBNova]

I know to set the timing at 0, with the ESC (tan) wire unplugged. I looked at my tab on the timing chain cover and I see a tab with a tube attached at the right, then to the left of that I have three "points" or two "vally's" depending on how you look at it. Do I line up the mark on the balancer with the center of the tube thing, or at one of the peaks ? I am guessing its the tube thing, or the "point" on the right (of the three). So far, it seems that my balancer has slipped, or my timing is just way off. I can see one mark about an inch to the right of the whole tab with the tan wire disconnected. I have read that there are two marks on the balancer and I cant find the other one. This would put my timing about 20 degrees retarded.

The funny thing is that I have numerous reciepts for work done to my truck at GM dealerships and my tan wire still had a factory appearing black papery-type tape over the disconnect holding it to the harness. It has never been apart to check the timing the right way! I truly think its too far advanced, because with my new fuel pump I just logged some data and saw 5 degrees of knock at 3k rpm/ 192kpa, and total (compensated) timing was only 7 degrees. Thats 12 total, with 5 being pulled. I dont think I should have knock at 12 degrees, with a semi-cool IAT of 120 F on a cool evening.

 

[Black Knight]

Re: Timing setiing question.

Re: Timing setiing question.

Mark both spots on the balancer, use the one on the left when looking down on the motor from the front, dont line up with the tube use the first valley mark just to the left of it.

 

[SBNova]

Re: Timing setiing question.

Re: Timing setiing question.

Thanks. So far I cant find a second mark on the balancer. I am gonna take another look tomorrow. How far apart are these two marks?

 

[Black Knight]

Re: Timing setting question.

There only a couple of inches apart, depending on which side of the balancer your on. If you have the correct side you should be able to see both of them from the top at the same time.
Maybe you have a aftermarket balancer and it only has 1 mark???

 

[SBNova]

Re: Timing setting question.

I found the other mark. They seem to be roughly 3-4 inches apart on mine. So I painted the left mark silver, disconnected the brown wire and started it up. With my timing light I could see the silver painted mark 1-2 inches clockwise (to the right) of my timing tab. I didnt think it should even run that retarded, but I adjusted it back to zero. The idle was now much higher and smoother. BUT, I couldnt get out of the driveway without alot of knock retard- and thats with light throttle barely off idle. SO, I figured that this new setting is flat out wrong. The problem now is trying to get it back where it was. Since I didnt carefully note where the mark *was*, I cant easily get it back. I guess I need to get one of those TDC tools and find out where TDC really is, then get a new balancer, or vice versa.... What a day.

 

[midnightbluS10]

Re: Timing setting question.

The funny thing is that I have numerous reciepts for work done to my truck at GM dealerships and my tan wire still had a factory appearing black papery-type tape over the disconnect holding it to the harness. It has never been apart to check the timing the right way!

They probably disconnect the same wire somewhere else in the harness.