Camera need for timing?

[mkassab]

HELP.... I can't see the timing marks or indicator with the eng installed and all the other "stuff" in the way. Because of the harmonic balancer I used, the timing mark is on the driver’s side (i.e., looking at the crank pulley at the 2 o’clock position) vs. the normal passenger side at the 10 o’clock position. See two pictures attached. The red arrows indicate where the timing mark indicator is located. What’s my options at this point? I even looked from under the car… no visual contact. Then I tried a mirror… with the engine running this isn’t a good option.

So, I was thinking of an inexpensive camera/scope of some sort…. Maybe something on the end of a bendable tube of some sort?

Ideas welcome.

Thanks Mark

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by mkassab

What’s my options at this point?

I would just ignore the marks that are on your balancer now and instead attach a pointer in an easily viewable spot. Then just draw a line on your balancer that lines up with TDC for that pointer (by using a piston stop). Then measure your circumference of your balancer and draw another line on the balancer at the degree BTDC that you generally set your timing at with high RPM (for me, that's 35 degrees BTDC). Then set your timing right on that line, test it out, set it a little bit before that line, test it out, set it a little after that line, and test it out. You'll soon find your optimum spot. You could then add another line, or just make a mental note that you set your timing at 3500RPM just "a hair past the red line on the balancer." The numbers don't really matter since it's your car.

SEE THIS THREAD: How big an issue are slipping balancers?

[bobcowan]

You could use something like a SeeSnake, from Ridgid tools. Looks like a bore scope with a small screen. If your timing is going to be a set once and forget it, that's a good way to go. If you're going to be changing timing curves and such, you're better off remarking the balancer and installing a better pointer on the passenger side.

[slider701]

You can get one of these from Harbor Freight:

http://www.harborfreight.com/automot...tor-66550.html

Right now they have it listed for around $120 but I have seen them on-sale in the weekly emails they send out for around $89