I have a 67 400 convertible and the engine block does not have the timing mark/scale. Does anyone know where I can get one and how to make sure it is put on in the right place?

Thanks

Should be cast into the timing cover.

I.e., you would have to replace the timing cover if you don't have a scale.

I know some of the timing covers did not come with timing marks on them. There must have been some kind of bolt on marker or pointer that was used. I know I have an early chev cover that uses a bolt on. I would think Pont would also.

If you have or have access to an advance timing light, you can bring engine to tdc on no. 1 cylinder compression stroke and somehow scribe where the balancer mark is on the cover and use that as a 0 degrees for reference. Otherwise, as stated before, new timing cover.

The marks were missing on the 68 400 I recently completed. Someone had hacksawed a groove but I but I determined the exact top dead center and made a make for TDC.

I cut the cast timing mark boss off an old corroded timing cover with plans to TIG weld it on the current cover.

As far as I know ALL Pontiacs have the timing marks cast right into the timing chain cover. I have seen the Chevy, bolt on type on a Pontiac. Also, simply finding TDC on #1 and using a white grease pencil to put a mark on the balancer is all you would have to do to get the timing fairly close...

Some timing covers did come with a bracket that was bolted to the cover rather than cast into the cover itself. I believe they were towards the end of the 70s. Most likely yours had the bracket and it disappeared.

Which is a good clue that some or all of the following may be true:
1) The engine is not original (or at least the timing cover is not).
2) The engine may have been rebuilt
3) The camshaft may have been swapped


RamAirRestoration sells a fancy billet replacement if you're not satisfied with scribing the cover. I think there is a little adjustment to their piece, so you will still need to verify TDC and align it properly. That's always a good idea to check anyway.

Mr. Firebird never came back to this thread, but we keep trying to help him. I was suspecting something like you mentioned, Mike. But I was suspecting the worst: The dreaded SBC

The car is in storage waiting to get a new convertible top. Once I pull it out, I'll take the above suggestions and see if I can sort it out. The waterpump was changed from a 67 to a 69 though I don't know if that has an effect on the timing mark. I did buy a new timing light so I can try bringing 1 to TDC and scribing a mark. Don't know about accuracy though.

Thanks

Yes, there will be issues due to the different size balancers. The 69 balancer is larger in diameter so the timing scale on the timing cover is farther back. So if you still have the 67 balancer with the 69 cover, it may be tough to read.

http://www.frankspontiacparts.com/usedparts1/pontiacengineparts.htm

There's the link...

Go to this page, a little more than half way down, and there are pics of the different timing covers. You're right. Some of them don't have timing scales. So there may be a separate scale you need to add.

I have pulled the car out of storage and taken a better look. The one thing I did not mention before is that the water pump is from a 69 firebird. I think I need a timing mark for a 69? Does anyone know what part number or who can supply me the correct timing tab for a 67 400 with a 69 waterpump? The timing chain cover is for a 67.

Thanks

Still doesn't quite jive. You can't put a 69 water pump on a 67 timing cover. Maybe take a pic so we can understand what the issue is. If you check out my link two posts up, it looks like 76-81 covers don't have a scale and require a separate scale. 75 and earlier will have it cast into the cover.

Let me do some more research into the timing cover. I was under the impression that the timing cover was from the 67 but if you are saying it is not possible, I may be mistaken and it too must be from a 69? Can you or someone confirm that if it is a 69 water pump...which I know it is as it is 11 bolts, it must be a 69 timing cover? In addition, how would I know if I have a 69 balancer too? Would that make a difference?

Thanks in advance

An 11 bolt water pump would only fit a timing cover '69 and newer.

Design of timing tab changed over the years. This may affect the alignment of indicated TDC vs. true TDC if the balancer ring has slipped or if the cover's tab is in a different location relative to the year of the balancer.

I make my own TDC mark for reference for initial distributor installation (using physical TDC), but I set the timing based on the way the car runs.