Timing help!

Azrael0069

New member
I replaced the gold box with a ho-181 from pertronix, ran horrible at first and I had to give it a little advance on the timing to get it to run smooth. I want to dial it in but there is no marker on the harmonic balancer to go by??? The only thing I see is a groove going across the width of it. Is this the timing marker line? Thanks in advance.
 
That grove probably is the timing Mark, so there isn’t any reflective paint that the timing light will light up on correct?

Do a search on this form on “power timing” and follow those instructions to the tee and that will get you a good timing setting, don’t even worry about using the timing gun…..
 
The groove on the harmonic balancer is the timing Mark that corresponds with tdc (top dead center) of the #8 cylinder.

The IH sv-8 engines all time off of #8 cylinder, which is the aft cylinder on the right bank. The right bank of the engine is the bank closest to the right front fender on your IH.

The timing marks for setting timing with a timing light are on the timing gear cover, picture attached.
"0" represents 0 degrees or tdc. The numbers to the left of "0" are btdc or before top dead center and are in 5 degree increments or 25 btdc, 20 btdc, 15 btdc, 10 btdc, 5 btdc, 0 tdc and 5 atdc.
This will get you up and running, then as you know, do the power timing to get the most out of your engine.
 

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Generally, a groove / Mark across the width of a harmonic balancer ("face") is an "indicator" to show if the harmonic balancer failed (the two pieces moved.).

Since the timing Mark is on the pulley piece, it means that the engine can no longer be timed using the timing marks on the timing cover.

The pulley can completely separate, creating a "missle" and damage.
 
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The balancer ring sliping is common on the big 3's engines but on this 345 the Mark is most likely located in the steel portion of the hub. In fact it is on the heavy side of the balancer or the portion with the largest diameter.

Like already stated time off of #8 and direct your timing light at the marks. Should see the Mark then.
 
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