The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 With modern trans...TIMING....TDC?????

Just got the 1960 235 all buttoned up in the 52 chevy, we used a kit from langdon's to put a modern gm overdrive trans. Now that I am putting the distibutor, and harmonic balancer back in I realized we have no tdc marks on the balancer.

I know there are the little marks on the distributor, but that doesn't leave any provisions for timing it while running , or where to stab the distributor. I know I can watch the rockers and stick my finger in the spark plug hole, but that's not very exact.

What have you guys done?

(the original motors were timed off the flywheel through the trans bell houseing, I am told, in case anyone was wondering)

Thanks.....

should be a mark on flywheel you can see thru bell housing above starter.

There is a little bb on the flywheel that indicate TDC. Rotate your engine till you can see that bb through the little hole on the passenger side of the bell housing right above the starter. Line that bb up with the needle and you should be good to go. With that lined up you are on TDC or 180 off so you might have the rocker cover off as wheel so to get it on the first try. If you can't find the bb you might wanna take of the flywheel inspection cover, find that bb and clean it up and put a dab of white paint on it so it is more easily seen. Also, Welcome to the bolt!

Thanks for responding. Unfortunately i swapped the trans and flywheel for a more modern 200 4r with a kit purchased online (langdons stovebolt). The trans was purchased in town....
So i do not have teh markings any more.

Well you can always try the farm trick my neighbor taught me. Take out the #1 spark plug and have a the valve cover off. Rotate the engine, watching the rockers to get close to TDC. Then have a friend stick a screwdriver into the spark plug hole and rotate till the piston is at TDC and you will feel it with the screw driver. Good luck!

I concur with ApacheFiend, once you have located the best TDC, you can mark the flex plate through the timing hole or make a mark on the balancer and improvise a pointer similar to the newer engines. It's only a place to start as you still can set the timing to where it runs best.
Fred

Or, some people set the timing to achieve maximum vacuum at idle.

If the 235 is still running stock compression I would find the TDC with a pencil using Apache's method (the pencil won't scratch the piston) and then run it about 5 degrees advanced from that, and play with it a bit. It's pretty hard to get a stock 235 to knock but it will run better on certain timing settings.