Bought a crate SBC. Found TDC is an inch past my timing tab, what Options am I looking at, thanks for any advise,,,,Stan
Mark the damper where it needs to be. Change the timing tab. Put degreed timing tape around the damper. Replace the damper. Replace the engine. Write down how far off it is, and use that info every time you use a timing light on it. Lots of options....
Had that problem before. Made a pointer, bolted it to timing chain cover. Cut a new mark in the balancer with a three corner file. Then timing tape. I like to mark the balancer in case the cheap ass tape falls off.
When you tune with a vacuum gauge, how do you set total timing? Do you just hope that the advance curve is set up right?
This is what I did years ago on some forgotten engine, only I cut the new mark on the home made tab since its easier to file on it than file the balancer.
Pull #1 spark plug and find true TDC. Moroso, Mr. Gasket and others sell adjustable timing pointer tabs that attach using existing timing cover screws. Align the "0" on the adjustable pointer with the mark on your balancer. You can also make your own using the other suggestions. I have a mismatch of parts on my 400SBC so I laid a roofing nail in the groove on my balancer and held it in place with a magnet then tack welded the head to the timing cover. I snipped off the excess nail and hit it with some white paint and it works perfectly. There are lots of ways to fix your problem.
Had the same problem on my '41 with sb Cheby. Off by about 20 degrees. I used timing tape, and now I just use 20 as TDC.