'69 Dart Custom Timing Trouble

Check the accuracy of the timing mark on the outer ring of the harmonic balancer by bringing the the #1 piston to TDC and checking to see if the marks line up. This is best done with a dial style micrometer and the heads off. A piston stop can give excellent results too if the heads are already bolted on.

Once TDC is determined, the cam should be degreed. I wouldn't trust the dots. The dots are a guide line and can be used for a stock rebuild, but I would never trust them for a performance engine.

Oh yeah, on a Mopar small block, the cam spocket dot should be at 12 O'Clock and the crank sprocket dot should be at 12 O'Clock when the #1 piston is at TDC on the compression stroke.