Two questions:

1. how do you time a sbc conversion when the timing marks are hidden?

2. what's the verdict on cutting an access in the firewall to get access to the water pump and timing marks?

Thanks.

I made a pointer...



...and attached it to an oil pan stud



I got #1 to TDC and marked the flywheel where it lines up with the pointer.

I set initial advance using a dial back timing light.

Of course you have to time it from under the car (not much fun with the engine running) and if you don't have a helper to turn the dizzy you get a lot of exercise.


I'd be interested to hear what others have done.


(PS...how did you get a SBC into the car with the OE water pump in place without cutting the firewall?)

Lot’s of racing -6s have had a removable panel installed in their firewall to ease access to the front of the engine. I think it would make sense to do the same on a V8.

I'm not a fan of cutting holes in the firewall. I have the timing mark located on the driver side of the engine. It's not a problem setting the timing looking under the car from the side. Without a helper it might take a couple iterations of checking the mark and rotating the distributor but it's pretty easy.

I marked the clutch pressure plate at the top so it aligned with the center of the 901 trans case. With the small indent in the trans at that location, and because I cut some of the rear firewall away to clear the distributor, I can get a timing light in there from the trunk. No additional marks so you need a light that you can dial in the advance for.

I like DickSteinkamp's idea and may need to do that when I swap the 901 for the 01E.

I think your solution is the most elegant but since I did not have to cut the front panel of the rear trunk to fit the dizzy (and didn't want to), it didn't work for me.



It would have been great if that notch in the trans case was on the bottom.

Thanks for the picture. I realized I misspoke and meant to say flywheel and not pressure plate. picture says 1000 words.

1. My mistake. I meant to say access to the water inlet/outlets. The car has an electric water pump mounted up front with the radiator.

2. The arrow is a super cool idea.

3. Has anyone tried timing using a vacuum gage?