PLEASE another sbc timing question

i know you guys must be getting tired of the simple questions, but i need a little help here. i posted the other day, (WOW the ****ster RULES) about how easy my set up fired right up. i need to set the timing, its starts easy, but high idle. i have a 72 400 sb, big 400 balancer and the pointer i have shows the point pretty close to the 1 O'clock posistion. problem is that it shows 0 but nothing before or after. so to get the timing roughly 8 degrees BTDC (what they told me when dynoed) do i line up the balancer mark to the left, or right of the pointer (facing engine) my dial timing light broke, so i just have the standard timing light. i have almost 11 to 1 CR and dont want any detination while i am messing around with it. so putting the balancer mark left or right of the stationary pointer (left i think) about how far, 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch? just trying to get close. sorry to bug you all. thanks, pkj

 

viewing from the front, you would want the mark on the balancer to the left , or p***enger side of the pointer so the timing is Before Top Dead Center. as for how much before, you could get one of those degree tapes that stick to your balancer..or if you know the diameter of your balancer , with some simple math you would be able to figure it out. what diameter is it?

 

about half an inch for 8 degrees....roughly....I could go measure it, or do the math, but I'm too damn lazy and it's still kind of chilly to be outside.

ok, quick math: 7" damper, times pi, gives about 22" circ, 22 x 8 / 360 = 180ish /360 = just about 1/2

 

thanks guys, you got me where i need to be. pkj