help 440 timing

Posted By: stacks79

help 440 timing - 11/07/09 02:26 AM

hello, first 440 build. how do you see the timing marks on the timing cover in the vehicle?? that plate is so small and half hidden i cant see anything in a straight line of view.

i have to use a mirror just to see the thing, let alone get a timing light to it. i noticed there is a hole in it, i assume tdc? trying to wire up all the plug wires tonight so i can fire it up tomorrow.

any help would be appreciated. thanks, john

Posted By: Pacnorthcuda

Re: help 440 timing - 11/07/09 02:38 AM

The hole is at 0 degrees, take a good look at it and determine the graduations before you read it while its running. You're much better off putting timing tape on the damper.

Posted By: stacks79

Re: help 440 timing - 11/07/09 02:57 AM

thanks, i figured the hole was tdc, but wanted to confirm, this is what i am up against, after a little web surfing, i have seen a few timing tabs, mine looks nothing like some of the others, ie, easier to read. How do you get a timing light to see down here, first pic you can just see the damper slit, second you can just see the tab, and thoat is only because i have my hand down in the fan at the level of the tab, no way i can get down there with the engine runnin!! John

Posted By: Pacnorthcuda

Re: help 440 timing - 11/07/09 03:02 AM

That doesn't look so bad, other than the lines on tab are hard to distinguish. Clean up the tab with brush or sand paper. Internet search to get a better pic that will show what the lines are (I think each line is 5 degrees)

Posted By: stacks79

Re: help 440 timing - 11/07/09 03:06 AM

thanks for the reply, but what my question is, is how am i suppost to view it with the engine running? i do not have a straight line of sight to the tab or hole, i only got that pic cause i stuck my hand down in there. my timing light is adjustable at the gun, so i can set my timing there, but i just need to see the hole, i did not know if it was something else missing, some other tool, etc... thanks. John

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: help 440 timing - 11/07/09 03:19 AM

clean the tab & put 4 dabs of white paint on it on the front edge (the line at the hole (TDC) and the 3 lines CCW from it 5, 10 & 15 btdc and clean & paint the groove on the dampener & you'll be easily able to see it w your light.

Posted By: CrAzYMoPaRGuY

Re: help 440 timing - 11/07/09 03:25 AM

Quote:

clean the tab & put 4 dabs of white paint on it on the front edge (the line at the hole (TDC) and the 3 lines CCW from it 5, 10 & 15 btdc and clean & paint the groove on the dampener & you'll be easily able to see it w your light.

My Jensen Interceptor has the same side tab and waterpump as you, I cleaned my balancer, painted it black, dabbed white paint in the timing notch, marked the balancer for 34 and 36 degrees BTDC and cleaned the tab up.
My hood opens backwards so I have reduced view of the front of the engine but I can still see the marks pretty easily.
If the marks aren't clearly defined it's tough to see while running....

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: help 440 timing - 11/07/09 03:38 AM

Quote:

marked the balancer for 34 and 36 degrees BTDC

You could make a new mark 2&1/4" CW from the groove on the dampener for 35.5 BTDC and it's always a good idea to check exact TDC with the piston stop.

Posted By: CYACOP

Re: help 440 timing - 11/07/09 01:21 PM

Quote:

Quote:

marked the balancer for 34 and 36 degrees BTDC

You could make a new mark 2&1/4" CW from the groove on the dampener for 35.5 BTDC and it's always a good idea to check exact TDC with the piston stop.

Is that 2 and a 1/4" around the radius of the balancer or straight across? I want to mark mine up before I install it.

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: help 440 timing - 11/07/09 02:13 PM

Quote:

Is that 2 and a 1/4" around the radius of the balancer or straight across?

Around. A flexible sewing tape or something similar works good. .0632683" = 1 degree so 36 degrees would be 2.2776" (2.278") and 38 degrees is 2.404" & you could cut 2 pieces of stiff wire & get em to that exact length with your 2-3" mike. 35 & 1/2 degrees just happens to be 2&1/4" which is easy to get w a sewing tape. I would check exact TDC first though. Cant assume nothing & thoroughness will enable you to top the guy in the next lane who does not have our (Mopar) dedication.

Posted By: CYACOP

Re: help 440 timing - 11/07/09 02:20 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Is that 2 and a 1/4" around the radius of the balancer or straight across?

Around. A flexible sewing tape or something similar works good. .0632683" = 1 degree so 36 degrees would be 2.2776" (2.278") and 38 degrees is 2.404" & you could cut 2 pieces of stiff wire & get em to that exact length with your 2-3" mike. 35 & 1/2 degrees just happens to be 2&1/4" which is easy to get w a sewing tape. I would check exact TDC first though. Cant assume nothing & thoroughness will enable you to top the guy in the next lane who does not have our (Mopar) dedication.

Posted By: lahatte

Re: help 440 timing - 11/23/11 08:22 PM

It boggles the mind, why they didn't put the timing tab on the battery side, where it's easy to see, and where you make all the connections.

Posted By: Montclaire

Re: help 440 timing - 11/23/11 08:46 PM

You could just do it by ear, I never used a timing light. If you've spent enough time around the car you know when you're good and when you're not.

Posted By: scratchnfotraction

Re: help 440 timing - 11/23/11 09:52 PM

my 440 does not have a belt runing down to the crank behind the wp pully,i think thats why it so hard to see with the light.

remove the belt till you get it set if that will open up the veiw any.

I use a vac gauge to get highest vac reading then look and see where its at,then adjust acordingly from there.

mine set at the end edge of the tab and pulls 18" of vac at idle

I sand balsted mine then marked with paint,then marked the damper with yellow.

hardest thing for me was to remember when i steped up to a BB is the BB dist turns CCW and a SB turns CW and the tab has the ATDC and BTDC on opisite side of the scales

glad to see you back,been a while

Posted By: Mr.Yuck

Re: help 440 timing - 11/23/11 10:35 PM

clean that thing up..... it'll be much easier to see. I've painted white stripes on either side of the mark to make it easier to see.

Posted By: JohnRR

Re: help 440 timing - 11/23/11 11:06 PM

Quote:

You could just do it by ear, I never used a timing light. If you've spent enough time around the car you know when you're good and when you're not.

Posted By: RobX4406

Re: help 440 timing - 11/23/11 11:06 PM

Hillbilly timing tape.

Each mark is 15* apart.

Bottom line is TDC, The others are 15 and 30* BTDC.

Posted By: scratchnfotraction

Re: help 440 timing - 11/23/11 11:13 PM

Quote:

Quote:

You could just do it by ear, I never used a timing light. If you've spent enough time around the car you know when you're good and when you're not.

I have fixed more chebbys with a timeing light and vac gauge because they were set by ear

few mopars as well,not knocking it,i do it myself and then check it with a light to see how close it is.

the light does not lie and it is allways too far advanced have been my results

Posted By: Gunner80

Re: help 440 timing - 11/23/11 11:17 PM

You have the later model water pump housing which is a right hand lower hose the earlier models had a left hand lower hose water pump housing and much easier to see

Posted By: mcmopars

Re: help 440 timing - 11/24/11 01:13 AM

Quote:

You could just do it by ear, I never used a timing light. If you've spent enough time around the car you know when you're good and when you're not.

really? i always use a timing light on performance engines to get the most out of what i have.now a 200 hp putt around i quess ear would be ok

Posted By: lahatte

Re: help 440 timing - 11/24/11 02:26 AM

Just pointing out, the OP is a couple of years old. I do think it's a good topic though.

Posted By: scratchnfotraction

Re: help 440 timing - 11/24/11 02:48 AM

DOH!!! i didnt catch it was from 09'

i was hopeing John was back