OMC 460 Timing / Harmonic balancer

[Trevthefox]

Hey guys,

I'll be doing a timing procedure on an 89 460 King Cobra pretty soon. I know I'll need a dwell meter to set dwell and a timing light to adjust timing, however the harmonic balancer or crankshaft damper on the engine is very rusty on one section, which happens to be the section where the grid used to be. I've tried to sand it a bit but can only faintly read 0 BTC with no mark visible.

I'm pretty sure the grid is completely gone by now. I've checked for used parts with no avail. Is it possible to remove and replace that part with a newer aftermarket damper? Or could I just buy a used Ford damper off of an auto?

Let me know what you think.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

 

[Scott Danforth]

or spend $3 on timing tape.

you should not have points, so not sure what you will be doing with the dwell meter.

 

[Trevthefox]

or spend $3 on timing tape.

Didn't think about that. I'll just do that.

you should not have points, so not sure what you will be doing with the dwell meter.

I was just following the owner's manual about checking dwell.

Any trick to finding TDC besides taking off the rocker cover and manually turning engine till both valves are closed on cylinder 1?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Sand the rust ,look for the line in the balancer and put some white nail polish on it,

 

[Scott Danforth]

Didn't think about that. I'll just do that.



I was just following the owner's manual about checking dwell.

Any trick to finding TDC besides taking off the rocker cover and manually turning engine till both valves are closed on cylinder 1?

pull the plugs, stick your finger over the number 3 plug hole, when it just starts to pop off, your close to TDC..... then follow the grove in the damper and the pointer on the timing cover.