Timing tab

[plumkrazee70]

I can't seem to find a bolt on timing tab. I have a want ad out. I see the aftermarket makes one for a big block. Will this bolt onto the small block cover?

I'm recreating the marks on the passenger side of the 69 due to mis march cover/balancer.

 

[Professor Fate]

If you can't find one, it's no big deal to just make one- it's just a piece of bent up sheet metal.
Measure and drill your holes, bend it up and clearance it for the bottom of the water pump. Or make a pattern out of cardboard, then transfer it to sheet metal.
Mark it with a slash or drill a small hole to reference TDC. Find true TDC with a piston stop, then mark the balancer (or install timing tape) so it lines up with the mark on your new tab. Done.

Honestly, 2 holes and 3 bends. You can make one in less time than it takes to finish your first beer.

 

[pink340swinger]

Bruce Toth at Toth performance has some, he had them reproduced. I think he's on Facebook he's into poly 318s.

 

[plumkrazee70]

If you can't find one, it's no big deal to just make one- it's just a piece of bent up sheet metal.
Measure and drill your holes, bend it up and clearance it for the bottom of the water pump. Or make a pattern out of cardboard, then transfer it to sheet metal.
Mark it with a slash or drill a small hole to reference TDC. Find true TDC with a piston stop, then mark the balancer (or install timing tape) so it lines up with the mark on your new tab. Done.
View attachment 1716482820
Honestly, 2 holes and 3 bends. You can make one in less time than it takes to finish your first beer.

True story. I was thinking about just bending a coat hanger lol. Just like when degreeing a cam.

I should have something floating around here to get me going.

 

[like_A_pike]

I made one on the passenger side too. Just too much going on with the other side on mine to get a light on marks in there.
I question if one should mark TDC and hang the 0 tab as low as possible if you’re interested in measuring dozens of degrees AFTER TDC from that side? I’m thinking mine is getting behind the pulley by 34*. Or I’m doing something wrong. Please advise.

 

[Professor Fate]

I made one on the passenger side too. Just too much going on with the other side on mine to get a light on marks in there.
I question if one should mark TDC and hang the 0 tab as low as possible if you’re interested in measuring dozens of degrees AFTER TDC from that side? I’m thinking mine is getting behind the pulley by 34*. Or I’m doing something wrong. Please advise.

That's the beauty of making your own tab- you can put the marks wherever you like for ease of access. It'll get a little more involved making the tab longer and adding the additional marks, but still not overly difficult- although if you use a timing tape on the balancer, you shouldn't need to. Alternatively, you could just make additional marks on the balancer every 5-10 degrees or so.