TIMING TAPE URGENT PLEASE!!

db · Post by db » Tue Apr 17, 12 9:51 pm

Anyone got timing tape for a smallblock (360ci, stock damper)?
I've forgotten to buy one and i'm hoping to try starting it on Thurs

charger01 · Post by **charger01** » Tue Apr 17, 12 10:30 pm

Got one for a 440 nailed to the garage wall. Couldnt get the Bananarama! thing to stick on. Something else I wasted a tenner on

ANTON · Post by **ANTON** » Wed Apr 18, 12 7:49 am

Line engine up with TDC and the use the timing make and score a line on the damper then you don't need timing tape.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Apr 18, 12 8:42 am

Timing tape is a waste of time.

Any half decent timing light only used the TDC mark and you adjust the light to give you the timing you are looking at or need.

Just make sure the TDC mark is in exactly the right place by using a piston stop.

db · Post by db » Wed Apr 18, 12 10:14 am

Well i thought i had a good timing light, but it has no adjuster

I can't afford to buy another and timing tape is clearly crap so do i have any other options?

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Wed Apr 18, 12 10:38 am

Get it in the ball park (about 12 degrees) and adjust by ear and Rev counter at idle for max revs. You will be amazed on the tolerance level - just don't give it stick until it is properly set up.

At least the cam is broken in so no issues around stalling on start up.

A count-back Snap-On is the only way to go..............

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Apr 18, 12 11:27 am

Anton posted a drawing for a degree wheel. Print it off and use that to mark your damper.

charger01 · Post by **charger01** » Wed Apr 18, 12 12:10 pm

Paul I have a Sealey proffesional jobbie with a degree dial in dial. Just waiting for postie to deliver a new dial for it then your welcome to use it.

Timing tape ffs

db · Post by db » Wed Apr 18, 12 3:28 pm

Surely all i need to do is measure the approx damper cirumference.
Cut an arc out of card with 0* to say, 60* marked on it in maybe 5* increments.
Find exact TDC with a piston-stop.
Hold this against my damper and transfer the marks onto the damper with white paint.
?

Or wait for Ade to fix his fancy-ass timing light

Prothed · Post by **Prothed** » Wed Apr 18, 12 3:33 pm

If you need it right now - just measure around the circumference of the damper and that is 360 degrees. Then you can calculate how far from the TDC mark any number of degrees will be and just draw a line.
For the sake of argument, if the damper measures 20" around, then 12 degrees will be 20 x 12/360 = 0.66"
(Check my maths though...)

ANTON · Post by **ANTON** » Wed Apr 18, 12 4:06 pm

To get TDC accurately you need to insert the piston stop tool in and turn the engine till it hits the stop and mark the damper there then turn the engine the opposite way till it hit the piston stop again and mark the damper and now divide the two marks and that will be true TDC.

You can divide the damper by 360 and make the degree and then there is no nee for timing tape.
If you want to pay for the postage I will send you my timing light as long as you return it in the same condition.

db · Post by db » Wed Apr 18, 12 6:28 pm

Thanks for the tips folks, I got it

db · Post by db » Wed Apr 18, 12 6:49 pm

[quote="Pete"]Get it in the ball park (about 12 degrees) and adjust by ear and Rev counter at idle for max revs. You will be amazed on the tolerance level - just don't give it stick until it is properly set up.
quote]

Whats the correct idle speed Pete?

Should i do this with the vac advance connected or plugged?

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Wed Apr 18, 12 11:02 pm

I would be looking for about 900 rpm - you may be able to go lower on a manual.

The vacuum used in its original set up is more about emissions control than anything else, so is not a big issue.

You CAN do clever things with vacuum canisters to introduce more timing at idle than a car would normally start at, and therefore reduce over-heating; but for now just plug it and get it running..........

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Thu Apr 19, 12 11:07 am

Im feeling like a goldfish in a tank of piranahs!! My fault cos im a bit fick!! I understand the basics of stock timing and Ive got it in my head whats going on in the engine, on a really fundamental level. Can anyone point me to a good laymans read on this subject please?? Also, ive got a basic timing light, a small digital tacho that you point at the flywheel to set RPM and i can see my timing mark and bracket ok. I cant find an explanation of the marks on my bracket anywhere.... Are they at 2 deg, 5 deg intervals, which one is TDC?? Keen to learn but quite daunting without a pro standing next to me showing me what to do. My engine is a completely stock, original 383 4bbl with original timing bracket, and, at this time, i just want to learn how to check its still ok more as a diagnostic tool than anything else till I learn more and get more experience.

Sorry if this should be a new thread but the answers being posted are very relevant to this query, i think!