[goatman65]

Seeems like all the Pontiac timing tapes being sold are for 5-1/4 dia balancer, will it be ok to use on the 6.8 balancer? My balancer is already degreed but some of the markings are off a few degrees according to 2 dialback timing lights.

[Kenth]

Do you have the correct timing cover (and scale) for your damper?

[steve25]

How does your balancer check with a straight up non dial back light?

[johnta1]

The tape won't work on that balancer.

Try this:

Timing Mark Calc

If mark on balancer is at TDC, it will work.

[ta man]

I've never used timing tape. I put TDC at 16 adv at 4 retarded I mark the balancer, that gives me a 20 degree reference mark.

[Squidward]

With the 6.8 I just estimate 16 degrees per inch for gross reality check, even tho it is a little closer to 17 degrees (16.85) per inch with more precise math. 16 is a pretty good number for initial timing.

TA Man, that makes an interesting concept for marking the balancer - just use the existing timing tab to mark off new marks with a sharpie. Timing tabs usually have at least 12-16 degrees displayed, and a highly paid engineer already did the math!

[goatman65]

Timing cover is 1968 with 0-6-12. Zero on balancer is at tdc. I bought the balancer about 5 yrs ago, a PRP that had every degree painted on. It rusted pretty quickly, so when I had it off last year I derusted and painted it and used a dremel to engrave 'some' of the degree marks. I did 0-10-16-18-20-30-32-34-36-38 and 40. My dist at that time had 34-36 total and 14-16 initial. So I thought those degree marks would be fine. Well now I want to try 30-32 total but still with 14-16 initial. When I set initial at what I thought was 14 it is actually 17 when I turn the knob on the light. After doing a search for timing marks I measured my marks and found out that I have most of the marks off by a few degrees. So rather than confuse myself by trying to add or move the marks I already have I was going to cover them with a tape with nice readable marks and numbers.

[ta man]

Originally Posted by Squidward

With the 6.8 I just estimate 16 degrees per inch for gross reality check, even tho it is a little closer to 17 degrees (16.85) per inch with more precise math. 16 is a pretty good number for initial timing.

TA Man, that makes an interesting concept for marking the balancer - just use the existing timing tab to mark off new marks with a sharpie. Timing tabs usually have at least 12-16 degrees displayed, and a highly paid engineer already did the math!

I've had it that way for a few years on my KRE headed engines. Since they fall in the 28 to 32 total range normally, all I needed was a 20 degree mark, bring up the revs and note where it falls on the timing tab at total timing.

[goatman65]

I recently put a set of KRE heads on my 467 and that is why I want to try around 30-32 total. But the engine likes a lot of initial,at least 14 but 16-18 seems better plus 7 from vac advance. If I turn the dist to get 30-32 total no vac, it has 10-12 initial. It hates 10 and 12 ain't much better.

[ta man]

Originally Posted by goatman65

I recently put a set of KRE heads on my 467 and that is why I want to try around 30-32 total. But the engine likes a lot of initial,at least 14 but 16-18 seems better plus 7 from vac advance. If I turn the dist to get 30-32 total no vac, it has 10-12 initial. It hates 10 and 12 ain't much better.

Mines pretty good at 8 degrees initial ,it idles between 850 and 900rpm.

[goatman65]

At 10 initial mine is harder to start,and I have to turn the idle screw in so much that I end up with nozzle drip at 950-1000 idle. But I think that might be a very lean idle circuit that I am finally getting straightened out ...I think.

[Squidward]

Originally Posted by goatman65

At 10 initial mine is harder to start,and I have to turn the idle screw in so much that I end up with nozzle drip at 950-1000 idle. But I think that might be a very lean idle circuit that I am finally getting straightened out ...I think.

10 is hard to start? Wow. I never would've imagined 10 would cause the starter to complain.

[goatman65]

The starter has no problem turning the engine,the engine has to crank many revolutions before it will start with 10. With 14 or more it will start in 1 or 2 revolutions.

[steve25]

That has more to do with your air to fuel ratio with the motor cold then the timing changes!
Normal hot mixtures are in the 14 to 1 range , but a cold motor needs just about the opposite ratio to light off in 1 to 2 revolutions!

[chrisp]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/10-pcs-Pont...UAAOSwqfNXjXqJ

[ELKHORNAOG7]

If you have the book by Tom Hand about rebuilding Pontiac engines it is in his book about marking the balancers.----BOB