223 TDC question

[Bill56]

My question is this; is a 223 at TDC when the crank is turned to the spot where the timing marks on the crank and cam sprockets are, I believe, 12 pins apart?
I ask because I don't even have the tin timing marker that bolts to the timing cover and that would be a better way to find TDC than pulling the head.
If that is TDC I can put the timing cover back on and make a mark on it to line up with the mark on the harmonic balancer.
Add a degree strip for that diameter balancer and I have a way to accurately time it!

 

[manglass]

Without going into a confusing explanation, yes; but you still have to make sure the piston is at the top of its travel to be accurate. You can do that on a 223 with a borescope type camera on your cellphone or simply stick something in the spark plug hole and feel it come up to top. Make sure you use something that will not break off or damage the piston. If you don't verify piston position, your pointer may be off by a few degrees. In that case, it will still work for using a timing light but the readings probably won't agree with published settings. You'll have to set the timing by how the engine runs instead of the recommended specifications.

Lou Manglass

 

[Bill56]

Thanks. If I can get it close enough to run, I am pretty good at fine tuning by ear and guess.

 

[Adriatic Machine]

Just some pictures of the timing tape I made and the formula I used to make it. Maybe this will help someone out there one day. The checkered flag will ensure a victorious outcome haha