[DaveInCanada]

Hi All,

I have a 287 engine and I'm trying to set the timing, however, my pulley only shows two timing marks (see pic in link). Which is TDC and what degree is the 2nd mark?

Pic link: https://snipboard.io/2wLu04.jpg

[Safari Larry]

There are 3 timing marks, TDC, 3 deg before TDC, and 5 deg before TDC. See Shop Manual (this link) Section 12, page 12-25, figure 12-43.

[DaveInCanada]

I only have two marks. In fact, in my 1957 Pontiac manual (yes I have one), the timing only shows 2 marks. TDC and 6 degees for a 347.

[DaveInCanada]

Would a distributor from a '64 Pontiac 389 fit in my 287?

[b-man]

Originally Posted by DaveInCanada

Would a distributor from a '64 Pontiac 389 fit in my 287?

Yes it will fit.

[Goatracer1]

It's a good swap. Parts are much more common for it.

[Bill Hanlon]

... and '64 allows setting point gap externally using an Allen wrench while the engine is running. You'll need a dwell meter and one of these

[Bill Hanlon]

But as long as you are considering replacing the distributor, why not put in a real GM HEI? I grabbed an HEI from a '77 400 Pontiac at a local auto parts recycling business (junk yard) and dropped it into my '57 347. The only change I had to make was bypassing the ballast resistor. Make sure the HEI is a "pre-computer" model (has just a single 2 prong plug).

[b-man]

The larger diameter HEI might be a very tight fit against the firewall so consider that before going that route.

[Bill Hanlon]

B-Man is right. There was plenty of room to the firewall in my '57 GMC with a Pontiac 347, but it was pretty tight between the distributor cap and the (Hydra-Matic) throttle linkage.

[b-man]

One of my friends who built up a ‘55 Bel Air told me yesterday that he moved the engine forward by 1-1/2 to maybe 2” so he could run the HEI distributor on his 350 crate engine. I thought to myself that seems like a pretty drastic amount but that kinda shows you just how big the HEI is compared to the ‘55-‘56 small body distributor.

By 1957 when the new GM distributor design was introduced with the larger cap and little window to adjust the points the firewall was probably revised some to make room for the bigger distributor.

[Goatracer1]

An HEI would not fit in my 1955 Chieftain. I went with a 1963 points distributor and was very pleased

[Safari Larry]

The 55 harmonic balancer has 3 timing marks. Yours has 2 timing marks so you apparently you have a later harmonic balancer. 1956 harmonic balancer has 2 timing marks, TDC and 5 deg before TDC. As you noted, 1957 harmonic balancer has 2 timing marks, TDC and 6 deg before TDC.

[DaveInCanada]

A big thanks to everyone for the advice. So great solutions to consider. I've gotta figure out which way to go.