Camarocam

I really need to get timing tape and a timing marking for my balancer but I cant seem to find the right on I have heard that you do all timing on a 305 from the top left side. where as on a 350 from the top right?

JesasaurusRex

I really don't get the question. If the question is do you put the timing tape on backwards the answer is no. Last I checked the distributor and crank spin the same way in every sbc. You buy the tape by size of the balancer, not size of the motor. Hope that clears it up.

Camarocam

well what I mean is like a 350 you time from the drivers side like right by the power steering pump. but on my 305 dont you time from the other side like under the alt.?

JesasaurusRex

Are you talking about the little V timing tab thing thats on the timeing cover to let you know where 0 is?

Camarocam

No like the guy that I got my trans from told me that you time a 305 from the top like looking straight down on the balancer or from the pass. side

JesasaurusRex

Take a picture cuz I still have no idea what you're talking about

Dna383

can you not find the timing tab? Is that the quesition that you have?

Camarocam

Yes there is no tab on the valve cover there is a slot on the balancer. shouldnt the tab be on the passager side of a 305??

JesasaurusRex

There shouldn't be anything to do with timing on any valve cover

Camarocam

Sorry I meant the timing chain cover

MetalliCamaro

Ever Gm sb engine ive seen had/has the tab on the right...

JesasaurusRex

Some are at 12, some are at like 1, thing is if you have no tab at all buy an ajustable one and then make sure it lines up with the balancer when the #1 cylinder is at tdc. Now it stays at tdc for a portion of the stroke, depending on the rod length (guessing urs is a standard 5.7") so this is what you do. First, buy the ajustable timing mark, think it has like 4 degrees of play in it. Mount it. 2nd, get a tdc stopping device that screws into the spark plug hole. 3rd, turn the crank clock wise (by hand) until the piston hits the stopping device. Mark with a marker or something on the timing cover where the harmonic balancer mark stops. Now, keeping everything the same, turn the crank counter clock wise. Then mark off where it stops exactly the same as earlier. You should have two (2) marks now very close to each other. The mid point of those 2 lines is where u want the ajustable timing tab to be. So tighten up the ajustable piece to the middle of those two lines and ull be set.