How far is 8 degrees from TDC.

[Dave-R]

I installed my new engine, A Volvo 5.7 throttle body fuel injection. There is only the TDC mark on the harmonic balancer. I know the timing needs to be at 8deg BTDC with the base mode of timing. I measured around the balancer and read 25 and 1/4 inches. This I changed to 1/8" s for a total of 202. This I divided by 360 to give me one degree of measurement . Since I needed 8 degrees I times this by 8 which equaled about 9/16". I know this is a pain in the rear. But I don,t have and advance timing light or the right data link connector computer. I set the timing and it seems to run fine. Could someone just measure the 8 deg. mark from TDC for me? As I would like it to be right. Thanks Dave-R

 

[mandels1stboat]

the easiest way to do it is to pull your number one cylinder spark plug and bring your piston to top dead center which means all the way at the top right before it stops going up and right before it starts going down is considered top dead center from there set down sir 20 start the engine and then move the distributor to correct position to bring you 28 degrees top dead center before top dead center use a timing light

 

[Bigdave196]

Dave, I will Pm my number. Lets get your boat running.

 

[tpenfield]

I get .561 inch based on the numbers you gave. What do you have on the engine to use as a reference point? Just a TDC pointer?

 

[bruceb58]

You can buy timing tape at speed shops for various sized harmonic balancers or you can just measure yours and calculate it like you already did. Or you can do what i do and get an advance timing light. Then you can also determine what your advance timing is.

 

[Dave-R]

Bruce you are absolutely right. But my old reliable Craftsman penski light is made out of real metal and looks like new. I hate chucking it for a chi-com replacement.
And yes that's the only mark I have on the balancer. I set it ant 9/16 inch BTDC. It runs great, but for long term I wanted to double check myself. Dave-R

 

[500dollar744ti]

Print out a 360* marked circle the size of your balancer from the internet. Like this.

Mark your balancer accordingly.