Ok so I have no idea what the right terminology is here but with the timing issue, line is not visible with the timing gun at all, and when I slowly turn her over it eventually shows but it looks like it’s really advanced. What should she be at and how do I find out? Idk here really so any articles would be helpful! Thanks 🙏

 

The factory timing tab goes up to maybe 12 degrees and a GM HEI initial is around 14 to 20 degrees, so the balancer mark will be beyond the timing tab.

If you use a dial back timing light it’s not an issue but with a regular light you need some additional marks on the balancer.

I marked the balancer by turning the engine so the balancer line was at 0 on the timing tab then made a line with a white paint pen next to the 10 degree tab.
Rotate the engine so the new line is at 0, then make another line next to the 10 degree tab. This is now 20 degrees.
Make marks for 30 and 40 degrees
Now the balancer has enough marks so you can use it for initial timing as well as total timing.

 

I moved the above posts to their own thread as the Newbie forum is basically for intro's. Based on your pictures in the Newbie forum, you have an HEI distributor so your stock timing is n/a. You'll need to follow the instructions in post #2.

 

You need to first find the timing mark located on your harmonic balancer. It is illustrated in your CSM. You have a transplanted 455 cid engine - so, you may not have the specific timing mark as per the CSM and perhaps not even the OEM original harmonic balancer (damper). But before you can proceed in any direction, you must first find the timing mark on the balancer/damper. Who knows what it's going to look like? Non OEM? Aftermarket damper/balancer? Who knows? You'll need to get under the car and find it.

Using your fingers and importantly your fingernails (work best), maybe a scribe or small screwdriver work your way entirely around the harmonic balancer looking for a very fine small groove. Once you've located that groove, that is your timing mark. Using white nail polish or anything of similar adhesion and visualization, run a straight white line on top the timing mark on the harmonic balancer. Regardless what type timing light you use, you must first find the timing mark on the harmonic balancer/damper to do anything related to timing. Get under the car on the ground and begin feeling and visualizing (with a flashlight). That's the first step.

 

Thanks, yes I was able to find mark, and adding some silver marker to it. it was not showing with the timing light gun(?) but did eventually show when I turned over the engine briefly a few times.

 

White is a little better to visualize, none-the-less you have the mark correctly identified. As per previous suggestions, follow Post #2.

EDIT: What timing light are you using? A Dial-Back timing light or straight timing light (non-dial-back)?

 

A couple of things to consider. First, it is possible that the outer ring of the balancer has slipped relative to the hub, which will muck up the timing mark location. The rubber in between the two parts of the balancer gets old and it is possible for the parts to move relative to one another. The only way to know for sure is to verify TDC on the No. 1 cylinder using a piston stop that screws into the spark plug hole. If the balancer has slipped, it can be rebuilt. Second, the factory spec on timing assumes the engine is completely stock and is using 1969-vintage high-test gasoline as recommended for that engine. With today's gasoline, the buildup of carbon deposits in the cylinders, and any potential modifications from stock in the last half a century, all bets are off on what the "correct" timing should be. This is really a trial-and-error activity - set the timing, see how it runs, and adjust accordingly.

 

Ok so I was able to figure out that my timing was at 42 degrees 🫣 (a friend brought over their timing gun which was more advanced than mine) got the timing to around 11 degrees by turning the distributor slightly and that’ll do for now, it’s so much better than it was! Had to change the idle adjustment as the timing changed to compensate since it was tuned to the advanced /bad timing.

 

11 with vac advance disconnected is a bit low for an HEI, you may run into higher engine temps with the retarded timing.

 

I agree. As I said above, my HEI is set to 16 initial.

The initial is just the total minus the mechanical.

The way to determine the initial timing is run the engine up to 3000-3500, and adjust the distributor to get 32-36 degrees total timing (with the vacuum advance disconnected). Then drop the RPM to idle speed and see what the initial is. Note that for future use during tuneups.

You’ll need a dial back timing light or marks on the balancer as described above to do this.