Call out to sbc converted teener owners, Harmonic balancer and timing marks Options

[HalfMoon]

Owning a Renegade converted sbc 914, I've often wondered how other owners have solved the problem of not being able to see the timing marks on the harmonic balancer.
What was/is your solution (other than timing by ear)?
Thanks!

[FL000]

I got a tip from here to mark TDC on the flywheel as viewed from the inspection area on top of the trans. Have yet to fire it up and test it but sounded like a good idea. Should be enough space from engine deck lid area to shine timing light and use remote camera to check it. I asssume a timing light with an advance function is necessary since I won’t have degree marks on the case (just location of TDC).

[bulitt]

I got a tip from here to mark TDC on the flywheel as viewed from the inspection area on top of the trans. Have yet to fire it up and test it but sounded like a good idea. Should be enough space from engine deck lid area to shine timing light and use remote camera to check it. I asssume a timing light with an advance function is necessary since I won’t have degree marks on the case (just location of TDC).

I did this- took a punch and put a dimple on top of the flywheel when set at 8 BTDC.

The guys at Renegade sent me this advice-

"For our in house cars, we use vacuum to measure where the timing should be. At very low idle, and the advance plugged off of the distributor, then advance the timing until the vacuum is at it’s highest reading. Retard the timing from there until you loose 2 inches of vacuum. A test drive to make sure it’s not pinging, and you’re set! If the engine is pinging, you can retard the timing by a degree or 2. If you add the timing marks on the bottom of the engine in addition to this method, you can verify the accuracy of the timing."