My balancer does not have timing marks (left), so I got a degree wheel and timing tape, watched some videos, did some reading, etc. I think I have it all figured out getting a wire degree wheel pointer pointed at true TDC and all that. What I need confirmation on is the tape/making permanent marks. The wire pointer is not going to be in the same place as the actual permanently-mounted pointer. Once I've found true TDC, can I just mark the balancer where the permanent pointer is? It seems that the initial location of a pointer is arbitrary as long as it doesn't move after the mark is made.
Do you know how to find TDC using a piston stop? Once you know true TDC using a piston stop; you can install the timing tape with zero at the pointer.
OK. That's what I thought. Thanks. Yes, the head is off the block and I will use a dial indicator to get to true TDC, but could use a piston stop
Using a dial gauge and measuring either side of TDC then halving on the degree wheel to get true TDC off the top of the piston is far better than a piston stop in a plug hole.
The damper has got to be surgically clean too. Sand off any rust and get it clean with lacquer thinner until the rag shows nothing on it. The last one I did was new, but cleaned it with something like 409. The tape stuck well, but over time I lost a bit of it. I mark points on the damper face at every 90 degrees with a sharpie, it makes putting a new tape on easier if need be.
Just keep in mind, true tdc is not the highest point on the dial indicator as the piston is at that point for quite a while as the rod goes over center. I like the positive stop method. Hit the stop one direction, mark the balancer, then go the opposite direction hit the stop and mark. Half way in between is tdc. Don’t really need a degree wheel.
Rather than the timing tape, I used one of these on the harmonic balancer, behind the pulley. Order the size to fit the damper, SBC 6 3/4" or 8.0" https://www.ebay.com/itm/3349074865...1291&msclkid=11c63b079296130aa7565e1e4272a681