I have a 396 motor i went to time it but the timing marks are all rusted out . is there another way to time it? i belive its B4 TPDC BUT THERE IS noway to make the marks out. i wanted to replace the timing mark but they are welded on the timing cover, what can i do?
phil :(

Take a piece of sand paper and clean off the rust... Since the numbers are stamped into the tab (welded to the cover), then the paint/rust will remain in these depressions when the rest of the tab is clean...

You might want to verify the actual TDC of the engine. You need a piston stop of some sort (bolt, etc). take out the Number 1 spark plug and insert the "stop". Turn the engine BY HAND until you feel the #1 piston hit the "stop"-make a mark on the balancer/pulley and on the timing tab... Now rotate the engine the opposite way BY HAND until it again hits the piston stop and make another set of marks on the balancer/pulley and the tab... The true TDC should be right in between these two marks...

The you can use a dial-back timing light to determine where the timing is, relativce to TDC...

I like to place the mark on both the balancer and across the top of the pulley... If the old balancer starts to slip, the pulley will retain the correct TDC since it is bolted to the inner portion of the balancer (not affected by any slippage)...

Hey thanks alot Ill try that this weekend,your a life saver
phil