Pontiac timing cover tab
 

Hello all!! I am new to this forum and need some assistance. I have read plenty of articles regarding Pontiac timing cover casting markings for timing covers produced on certain years of Pontiac V8's Well I am one who replaced a timing cover on a 1973, Pontiac 350 engine without the casted timing markings. I have read older posts that "Pontiac Dude" fabricated some bolt on tabs, and were often sold to people via this site, or on eBay. I have reached out to him via message service but have noticed, he has been inactive since 2017. Any help on getting a proper tab marking would be greatly appreciated, I am wanting to avoid removing the entire cover and assembly, only to replace with one that has these markings. I have also looked all over the internet in search of a person who makes them using a 3D printer, amd have been unsuccessful. Please HELP!!

You installed a 76 to 79 timing cover from a low performance motor that had a abbreviated balancer.

Even if you had one of these bolt on steel timing tabs if your are running a normal balancer I don’t know that it would bolt on and not hit the balancer .

Here is one of the timing tabs that works with a large balancer with a later model timing cover. I bought one off of eBay when I built this engine probably 8 years ago. It must have been one from Pontiac Dude.

Pontiac Dude goes by Bill Bailey on some of the Facebook Pontiac pages. Find him there and see if he has a timing tab.

If you ascertain TDC by removing number 1 plug and making sure its at TDC, wherever the mark on the pulley is (providing that you know it hasn't slipped on the rubber), Then thats where you make a mark on the timing cover for 0 deg. Put a thin line with tipex or similar.

Didnt the timing covers without marks use a bolt on plastic timing tab from the factory? Should be able to find a used factory one that will bolt on to your cover that doesnt have marks. I have a couple Id consider selling if needed.

A guy on Facebook (Terry Schroeder) has 3d printed one and is considering making more.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/4445...6902265811827/

Franks Pontiac parts had two on there site until about 3 weeks ago, too bad!

Thank you! I will reach out to him. I had no luck finding Mr. Bailey on FB. I hear his design was freaking awesome!

I have one of Keifer's metal timing tabs. Works great and fits stock or aftermarket balancers. Too bad they may not be available anymore.

Doesn’t Perform make a bolt on timing tab?

Singleton, thanks for the info. This fb page is a closed group, and I've requested to become a member, but it's been pending for 3 days now. If you would be so kind and see if you can ask this member to reach out to me or if you can see if Bill bailey is also willing to sell one of his, if really appreciate it. I've messaged you with my email and info. Thank you!

]"You installed a 76 to 79 timing cover from a low performance motor that had a abbreviated balancer."

nope my 78 TA 180 HP motor with a full balancer had the plastic one-it also had a hole for some sensor placement also

As far as I recall during those late cars with 2.73 rear gears or less got the small low per balancer, so this would call for two different bolt on timing tabs no?

Mine had 2.56 gears-and could only pull 4000 when stock in high gear! 130+ mph on Texas World Speedway straight-and a few empty South Texas roads:) Normal balancer plastic tab.