The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 230 Timing Marks & Top Dead Center

I'm having trouble getting my 230 to start and have a question. When the #1 piston is at the top of it's stroke, should the timing mark on the pulley be right on? In my case the piston is already going down in the cylinder when the timing mark is lined up.
Appreciate your help in advance.

Sounds like you balancer has slipped the outer ring. To be sure you are on number 1 compression stroke, pull the valve cover and watch the rocker arms on number one. When both are closed and the piston is at the top, check the timing mark. If you can get a piston stop, that works even better. With the piston stop, you don't have to be on compression to check the timing mark, just rotate the engine by hand till it hits the stop, mark the balancer, then rotate 360 degrees the other way till you hit the stop again. Now split the difference between the two marks and that is true top dead center. You can remark your balancer or replace it. If the outer ring has slipped, it best to replace it before it works it way off the engine. Mine slipped toward the timing cover and started rubbing.

For the time being, just set the timing where the engine starts and runs OK. If it works and you are happy with the performance, then its just a balancer problem, but if you can't make it run or start, then something else is wrong.

Joe

Joe,

Thanks for the information about the balancer. I did take the valve cover off and watched the rockers on number one, when they were both closed, the timing mark was no where near to be aligned to the tab. I bet I turned the engine almost another 180 degrees before the mark aligned. What actually slips on the 230 balancer/pulley? Is it a press fit that slips between the two? The balancer is keyed to the crank, isn't it?
Thanks again for the help.
Steve B.

One thing here is that both valves are closed twice once in the exhaust stroke and the other in the power stroke both times at the top of piston ,You have to keep an eye on the intake valve and when that starts to close and go TDC that is the TDC mark You need to time off of , many guys put the dis. in 180 degrees off because they are timing off the wrong piston TDC and You have to turn engine in the same direction it runs . Hope this helps.


Pete

The outer ring of the balancer is pressed over the center hub, with a ring of rubber in between the two metal parts. If the bond on the rubber ring fails, the outer piece can slip around wherever it pleases. I like to watch the #6 valves as I turn the engine. Watch the exhaust valve (last one in line) open, then close. Just as the exhaust valve is closing, the intake will begin to open. At that point, the #1 cylinder will be very close to top dead center on the compression stroke, and the distributor rotor should be pointing to the #1 plug wire. Set the points to fire right there, and the engine should start.
Jerry

A slipped balancer/pulley was my problem. I found TDC of #1 using the tips you all listed, set the distributor, and the engine popped off on the first try. Thank you all for your help, I'm on to the clutch now, it does not disengage when the pedal is to the floor, but that's probably another forum category that I may have to start a thread in.
Thanks again.

I found that the easy way to find TDC for a streight 6 is to take #1 spark plug out and shine a flash light in. You can actually see the piston and when it reaches the top, then you are there. Plus watching the valves help too.