Harmonic Balancer Identification

[firebane]

Just wanted to add something to this. I was in the junkyard yesterday pulling stuff from a 79 chev pickup 3/4 ton and it had the 8" harmonic balancer and a timing cover with the tab at 12 oclock.

So perhaps us Canadian bretheren are different or that there are infact (as in all situations) different circumstances.

 

[firebane]

Ok so I will be putting on my new harmonic balancer this weekend and have a question. Most of the posts/threads/things I read say to find TDC when the heads are still on the block.

Question: Can I without the heads on the truck put #1 @ TDC and use that as the reference for the timing tab? Or does the heads needs to be installed?

 

[farmerchris]

actually that is the easier and more accurate method,with the head off, just raise the number one piston to it highest position.ie, top dead center