Timing pointer flat metal no markings.
 

I have never set the timing before in any of my cars, so I bought a timing light and started reading instructions for checking the timing on a 400. I forgot to give the engine builder a timing cover with the timing pointer built in with the lines marked when he built it, so he added one that is flat with no lines or marks. Can I still use it to check the timing? thanks

Do you have a picture? I have never seen a timing cover with no marks other than on a Chevy small block.

Late 70's model 400's sometimes have the timing cover with no timing tab.

These require a bolt on timing tab, that bolt on the passenger side two lower cover bolts. Some are plastic and some metal. Sometimes hard to find.
Some use a small hub instead of a normal harmonic balancer.

May be easier to swap timing cover to one with timing tab.



Sent from my Moto Z3 Play using Tapatalk

I cleaned the timing marker/pointer and found 1 line that the builder might have stamped on it (unless it came that way). I guess that would be zero mark. I disconnected the vacuum advance and plugged the line. I warmed the engine to normal operating temp, hooked up the digital timing light and my reading at idle 700 rpm was 16.3 before the lines would line up. I think I read that should be 8-10. Is that correct? If I am right I now need to repeat with 2500-3000 rpm and adjust distributor until timing light reads around 34-36. Please feel free to chime in with thoughts. Thanks

might be important, not sure: The engine I'm working on is 72 YS 400 bored .60 w/455 crank, q-jet, HEI

If you have more of a stock type of camshaft, probably start with setting the initial timing at 12 degrees with vacuum advance disconnected and the line plugged. Then if you want to check where your total timing is at, rev the engine and see where it ends up. If you just set the distributor by the total timing, it might end up that you will have too much or not enough initial timing.

If you don't feel that you are getting enough total timing, then you may need to modify the distributor to get where you want.

What kind of distributor are you running and what are the cam specs?

Have a pic of your timing mark and balancer?


:confused:

I am trying to attach photos with cam specs and timing marks. The damper mark is about 2" past the marker tab in attached pic, I have marked both with a little white paint. My HEI is a run of the mill jegs, summit etc, looks like a gm HEI cost was about 150. Built in coil.

Again at 700 rpm intial timing was 16.3
Thanks

Pontiac Dude here on the forum built this engine in 2007

Pontiac used timing covers on some of the late 400s and 301/265 engines that had a bolt on timing tab, so there are definitely engines out there that have covers with no cast in timing pointer.

Sometimes you can find the pointers for sale on Ebay new/used.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/28431297631...gAAOSw-7FgiWaa

So I had my initial timing at 16.3 and just now total was 34.0 at 2800-3000 rpm vacuum advance plugged both times.

Where you have it now might be OK. Just be careful and see what the car does during hot starts as it might crank hard or want to kick back against the starter with that much initial timing.

I have a new battery and starter does turn slower when cranking it hot even has a slight hesitation, but I thought if I lower the initial timing, I would not be able to get to 34 total timing. Thanks for the help.