The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 54 - 235 Timing Question

Maybe I am a little thick, but I am just not getting the picture here. I have never timed a chevy 6 cylinder engine and so I have searched this forum and read through my shop manual and still have a timing quesion.

I understand the basic procedure for timing a 235 engine. What I have not been able to pin down is where on the bell housing you are looking to point your timing light? In some posts they talk about the hole on the drivers side of the bell housing on the front of the BH. But you also have the cover on the top of the BH between the engine and the tranny that allows you to see the flywheel. The triangle marking on my flywheel is on the rear side of the flywheel, which would indicate you have to point your timing light at the rear side of the flywheel. So then if I am using the cover on the top of the BH then where is the indicator mark to line up the triangle with?

Confused, but still asking....

Thanks,
Chevman

There is a opening in the bell houseing just above the starter. When fireing #1 or #6 a steel ball should apear in the flywheel.This is the timing mark. You can usually advance it a few degrees further.

I've also read the posts saying the mark is on the driver's side. That is incorrect as Wrenchbender said. If you don't like standing on your head to get the correct viewing angle you can time it using a vacuum gauge.

Here's a good picture (Figure 6) of the timing hole and ball.

Its a PIA...but just look above the starter and there is a small hole you can see the fly-wheel. Best is thing is to clean the fly-wheel off and mark the ball with a white paint or correction fluid. Mark the timing pointer also with white paint. Dizzy turned CW is advance or BTDC turned CCW ATDC time it to the ball and go from there with your highest vacuum 17 to 21 back off a pound and you are good to go. The triangle is not the timing mark as pointed out here in the forum to me. This mark is to set-up the valve gear. Look for a small indented single metal BB its much smaller than what is used in a BB gun. I learned all this from this forum. These guys are the best. Like you I'm (still) confused but willing to learn. SJB

Thanks for the clarification and the pictures!!!
This web site and its members are the best!