Timing marks.

Timing was always a mystery to me before I started researching it, I pretty much a good grasp on it now ( cam specs on the other hand are still not second nature ). Back to the point, er, pointers (ha ha). I have on my 360la's stock timing cover degrees for timing, I also have timing degrees on my Summit balancer. Which one should I use for TDC, the balancer or the timing cover? I did check for true TDC with a micrometer using number one and spinning clockwise and reverse, I then marked it in paint on the balancer, so I know the true TDC, it's 3 degrees advanced compared to the marks that are etched on the Summit balancer. Any questions, I'm not sure I'm asking the right question here. Thanks.