Timing chain marks on new cover in wrong spot

[bobvonryan]

I was looking for a new timing chain cover for my rebuilt 350 Chevy motor and thought I found what I was looking for on eBay. Ad said "Brand new, unpainted with a weld on tab with marks on it". When I received it the tab was welded on - and in the wrong position. The marks are in the center of the cover and not off to the drivers side (on a car) like my old one. Is this unusable? Thanks!

 

[bobvonryan]

Re: Timing chain marks on new cover in wrong spot

Anyone got any ideas on this? Thanks!

 

[jtmarten]

Re: Timing chain marks on new cover in wrong spot

Pull the #1 plug, use a dial indicator to find true TDC and mark it on the tab. If its off the tab you'll have to mark the cover. You'll have to use an advancing timing light to get it timed since you'll only have 1 timing mark.

There are adjustable timing tabs too that Jegs or Summit carry that bolt on.

 

[Dshow]

Re: Timing chain marks on new cover in wrong spot

Engines are not my day job so keep that in mind when reading response...

You might try to contact the seller and see what he says, but usually trying to return things are not possible or a PITA. If everything else on the cover is the same except the timing mark is off, you might try grinding the wrong mark off and putting a new mark in the correct location either by welding or maybe a piece of metal bent to the correct location under one of the mounting bolts. Anything you do should be weighed against just buying a new correct cover...

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Timing chain marks on new cover in wrong spot

There are a few different ones for the Chevy engines. Top and either side. You can get the right one, or find TDC, #1 and make your own tab.
Which ever way works for you.

 

[Don S]

Re: Timing chain marks on new cover in wrong spot

Go to NAPA and get a new timing mark tab. You will need to know your vibration dampner diameter to get the correct one. They bolt onto the timing cover.
Cost is less than 5 bucks. Or it was a few years ago.

Here are some examples
http://www.thefind.com/sports/info-timing-tab

 

[dan t.]

Re: Timing chain marks on new cover in wrong spot

bolt on timing marks are available, they are the ones off to the side, the cover you have is for a ballancer that is marked differently and uses the deep water pump. do a search here, this subject came up last winter.

 

[bobvonryan]

Re: Timing chain marks on new cover in wrong spot

Thanks guys. I'm going to try NAPA to see if I can get one there. If that fails Ii will grind it off and re weld it. Thanks again!