SBC Experts, help with timing marks

Other way around. 350 block with a 400 (3.75") crank. All I've ever seen are external balanced. (Both balancer and flywheel are weighted)

(400 block with a 350 crank is a 377" motor - Internal balanced)

 

It is a mid engine COE and I can't get the timing cover off without dropping the motor

That's a good idea when building race motors, but when you buy a crate motor, you expect that the builder would get this shit right and you wouldn't be pulling heads.

Because that's what 383 strokers use

See above

Well smart ass, I would really expect that a big name Crate Engine builder gets this right in the first place and doesn't leave it to the consumer to have to correct.

NO - 383 is a 350 block with a 3.75" stoke crank

Now, For those that offered up help and others who are interested here's what I found out. In their infinite wisdom, Chevy has offered three different timing mark locations in relation to the key way in the crank. There is 0 degree (in line with the key way) 10 degrees to the left, and 30 degrees to the left. The 10 degree seems to be the most common, but the 400's use the 30 degree which is what I have, along with a wrongly supplied pointer from the crate engine builder who specifies the 8" 400 balancer. The whole problem stems from the engine shop using an incorrect timing pointer for the balancer that they recommend. Interesting thing is I ran across this on two different 383's built by two different companies in the past week or so. All is well now

 

hotroddon I knew you would get it right. Just for laughs, or info, from the GM Performance catalog, here is another 8" balancer, 2 degrees before keyway centerline, 1962-1969 302 and 327.

 

Oh Great! More confusion LOL