[1971455HO]

I am usually over in the Firebird forum but I need a little info on a friends 66 GTO. He told me today that he is having trouble with it running hot. I looked at the car today and it has a timing cover that doesn't have any timing degrees on it. Just a pointed spike shaped indicator sticking out of the front just behind the harmonic balancer. The balancer is smaller than on my 455 also. How do you time an engine with this set up. Is it already advanced to the correct degree for a stock 389.

Thanks,

Eddie

[Goatracer1]

There are 2 lines on the balancer. The first is 6 degrees before TDC and the second is TDC. Align the pointer with the 6 Degree BTDC mark. If you want more advance you have to guess.

[b-man]

Use the TDC mark on the balancer with a good quality dial back timing light, you'll be able to set the timing anywhere you like.

[1971455HO]

Thanks Gentlemen. That's exactly what I needed to know. When I looked under his hood, luckily it just happened to have stopped right where I could see both timing marks on the balancer. My friend is knew to his pontiac and I had never dealt with a single pointer before. I really appreciate the help. Does that mean the cover he has, is correct for his 66 GTO? I have a dial back timing light, we know what to do now.

Thanks again.

Eddie

[b-man]

Yes, the timing cover is correct with the pointer for '66, the early engines got by just fine that way.

[1971455HO]

Thanks, He'll be glad to know that.

[Kenth]

1966 Pontiac V8´s uses a scale on timing cover and one mark on hub.

Timing covers with the pointer and two marks on the hub were used in 1963½-65.

[johnta1]

Would that be a cast number 9783130 cover?

[poncho447]

Originally Posted by johnta1

Would that be a cast number 9783130 cover?

Agreed, the 66-67 timing cover is cast#9783130 and has a small timing scale marked -4, 0, and +6.

The 64-65 timing cover has the pointed spike, cast#9773371.