Mark. I used a tried and true method that's also cheap.
1. Get an old spark plug and knock out the innards, leaving only the
metal shell.
2. Weld a bolt on the end that goes into the engine, being careful not
to damage the threads.
3. Smooth off all sharp edges on the bolt, so that it is rounded.
4. Insert the new plug into #1 hole.
5. Carefully turn engine over by hand, till bolt just hits/touches piston.
6. Mark position on harmonic balancer.
7. Reverse direction and turn by hand carefully till it hits/touches
piston again.
8. Half way in between is top dead center.
I used a stick on degree tape, after cleaning the harmonic balancer, and
now have an accurate mark.
Good Luck.
Larry
mbb wrote:
>
> I think I'm having trouble setting the correct idle timing on the engine
> I've just rebuilt. I've tried idle timing from 9 to 20 deg BTDC with
> little noticable differnce in performance and no audible knocking. It's
> a '69 302 block with it's stock crank and
> harmonic balancer but just about everything else is new...except for the
> timing chain cover. I'm using a cover from an early 60s 260/289. It's
> the cover with the cast timing pointer. Does anyone know if this
> pointer is in a different position than the one on the stock 302 cover,
> resulting in incorrect timing. Also, what's the best way to check the
> mark accuracy once the engine is in the car.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Mark Burnett
> B9471102
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