Finding the correct timing tape for my 347

[Speedrdr]

Maybe this is an ignorant question, but I don’t have any ‘scribed’ timing marks on my harmonic balancer/damper. As in zero! I cleaned all the paint off and searched in vain…nada, nothing, zilch. Is it possibly that a PO removed the factory damper for a generic one? I don’t really mind but can’t figure the distance between TDC and 1*, 2*, etc so I can put the correct timing tape on. I can get TDC and scribe a line at that location, but haven’t been able to find a reference for the spacing between degrees.
Any suggestions, ideas or tips?

R

 

[Soylent]

They must have tapes based on the diameter of the damper right? Otherwise that distance (arc) for instance 2* =2*/360* x 2(pi)r

 

[Soylent]

Here: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...MIvq3lk4-biQMVjC-tBh28HQ1HEAQYAiABEgJTbvD_BwE

 

[Speedrdr]

@Soylent , appreciate it! Just ordered a set from Summit that covers 5 or 6 diameters. Was afraid I was gonna have to find TDC and do actual math to scribe each mark on the damper.
I’m still gobsmacked that there’s no marks for setting the time.

R

 

[Soylent]

When you get it measure tdc to 10* on the tape and compare it to that equation to see how accurate they are. That is if you have nothing else on your list to do

 

[Speedrdr]

When you get it measure tdc to 10* on the tape and compare it to that equation to see how accurate they are. That is if you have nothing else on your list to do

I just cut a cord and a half of oak firewood that has to be split and stacked… it to mention the honey do list. Lol
I figure I’ll take enough breaks to get the tape on.

R

 

[73azbronco]

They must have tapes based on the diameter of the damper right? Otherwise that distance (arc) for instance 2* =2*/360* x 2(pi)r

^^^ this, find diameter, go on a parts supplier like jeggs and search a timing tape for that size balancer.

 

[Speedrdr]

The tape I ordered from Summit Racing has 6 strips that cover from 5.25” to 8” diameter damper. I’m thinking that there’s one of them that gets what I need.

R

 

[Steve83]

...I don’t have any ‘scribed’ timing marks on my harmonic balancer/damper.

The timing scale for old Ford V8s can be very difficult to spot at this age. This is how I do it:

(click this text)

 

[Speedrdr]

The timing scale for old Ford V8s can be very difficult to spot at this age. This is how I do it:

(click this text)

I would do exactly that…IF there were timing marks on my damper. I’ll just have to clean off the thing and post pics of it as it appears no one seems to believe there’s no marks. When I get home from wife’s doctor appointment Monday I’ll do that.

R

 

[m_m70]

I would do exactly that…IF there were timing marks on my damper.

They probably have been sanded of filed off over the years. I know back in the day mechanics would hit the damper with sand paper or a file even to clean the grime/rust off so they could see the stamped marks. Problem with that is if you do it enough eventually you'll remove material as well and with that the marks. I put the timing tape on my original because of this. This is my stock damper which is 6 3/8 dia. It's very simple. Just set engine at TDC and put the tape on lining up the pointer to TDC. Everything else will be in line if you use the right diameter tape which you should have in the order from Summit.

 

[Speedrdr]

I keep forgetting that ‘91 is getting old enough to have been “molested” before I got it. Figuring I’m the 6th or 7th owner, so the damper may have well been sanded smooth. The engine in my EB is from a ‘91 mustang, according to the casting # on the block and the valve covers that were on it.

R

 

[Madgyver]

Paint pens are best as tape will self remove. Find TDC #1 cylinder and mark it to your pointer. the rest are just reference marks. you could measure an existing HB with timing marks and measure them to copy.

 

[73azbronco]

paint pen how I did it, hit zero, 10 deg 20 etc.

 

[Speedrdr]

Paint pen? why couldn’t I have thought about paint pen! Just happen to have bought new ones for marking metal to cut. Still gonna put the tape on to mark the damper and make a ‘tick’ mark with the paint pen.

R

 

[Steve83]

Still gonna put the tape on to mark the damper and make a ‘tick’ mark with the paint pen.

I'd start with a cold chisel.

 

[Speedrdr]

I could do that but probably gonna use a Dremel tool to make my degree marks.

R

 

[Madgyver]

I could do that but probably gonna use a Dremel tool to make my degree marks.

R

all is needed is a paint pen mark.

 

[Speedrdr]

all is needed is a paint pen mark.

True enough, but my luck insists that if I only do the paint it will go away and I’ll have to do everything all over again. It’s been said I could wreck an anvil with a rubber mallet.

Randy

 

[Steve83]

The chisel mark will last decades, which is why Ford used that style originally.