Timing marks

[fnny6770]

This is a picture of the ignition timing tab on my 1978 454 it's in my k35 1-ton dually, I am trying to identify the timing marks on this factory bracket but unfortunately the numbers are heavily worn, would anyone like to take a guess at which notch is zero top dead center and what the other corresponding notches are? Right now I'm adjusting the valve lash and then when I'm done I'm going to adjust the timing.
Thank you in advance,
Paul

 

[Chevy 88]

Pretty sure the largest "V" is zero (TDC).


Such as this:

 

[fnny6770]

Zero is where the big zero is punched into the tab to the right, makes perfect sense to me!

 

[Ricko1966]

This would be a real good time to check timing chain slack. When you get to 0* take off the distributor cap,rotate the engine counter clockwise,when the rotor starts to move look at your timing tab. If it moved 6 degrees think about when you can change your timing set. If it moves 8* think real hard about when can you get to it.

 

[bucket]

This would be a real good time to check timing chain slack. When you get to 0* take off the distributor cap,rotate the engine counter clockwise,when the rotor starts to move look at your timing tab. If it moved 6 degrees think about when you can change your timing set. If it moves 8* think real hard about when can you get to it.

Potentially a distributor drive gear can cause some slop too. But yeah, you don't want this to happen:

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[edgephoto]

Get yourself a timing light with an advance dial on it. If you want 10 degrees BTDC then just set it to 10 and when it lines up with the zero mark you are good to go.

 

[fnny6770]

We rebuilt the engine a few years ago, replaced the timing chain with a double roller so it's fairly new. But I will see.

 

[xm20k]

One thing to note here the outer ring on dampers do slip so if your distributor was dropped correctly (verified to be physically at TDC) and you have a hard time timing it take a look at the damper.

 

[fnny6770]

I understand the damper ring does slip over time I experienced that with the Pontiac 455 many years ago.
What should the timing be set on this 1978 454?
The trucks a 1980 k35 with the standard transmission.

 

[fnny6770]

Does harbor freight have a good timing light?

 

[75gmck25]

No, they really suck! Went through two that had a faulty tachometer (read 1400 rpm when the truck was at 800 rpm), and then they charged me a restocking fee when I finally returned the last one. If it does not work correctly, their only fix is to give you another one.

I then bought an Innova 5568 light, and it works really well. Built in tachometer, and easy dial-back to check mechanical advance, etc.

 

[edgephoto]

Does harbor freight have a good timing light?

Does Horrible Freight have anything good? I have tried to save money by buying things there. Returned or threw out everything. I will admit their tool boxes seem decent. Not Snap On, Mac or Marco quality but darn close and way less expensive.

Buy good tools. You will have them for life. Buy junk and if you don't get pissed off you will end up spending more money in the long run.

 

[Ricko1966]

Does Horrible Freight have anything good? I have tried to save money by buying things there. Returned or threw out everything. I will admit their tool boxes seem decent. Not Snap On, Mac or Marco quality but darn close and way less expensive.

Buy good tools. You will have them for life. Buy junk and if you don't get pissed off you will end up spending more money in the long run.

But you get good at throwing them.

 

[bucket]

Does Horrible Freight have anything good? I have tried to save money by buying things there. Returned or threw out everything. I will admit their tool boxes seem decent. Not Snap On, Mac or Marco quality but darn close and way less expensive.

Buy good tools. You will have them for life. Buy junk and if you don't get pissed off you will end up spending more money in the long run.

Yes, they actually do have a lot of stuff that is pretty darn good. There's a caveat though. You have to buy stuff from there for years and years to figure out what is worthless sh!t, what is just ok, and what is actually good.

 

[Grit dog]

Pretty sure the largest "V" is zero (TDC).


Such as this:

Great comparison for the OP