Balancer installation question

[GRGT1994]

I got my new balancer. After removing the old balancer, I am ready to get the new one in. I was reading over the instructions that came with it, and it says that you should make sure to get the motor at top dead center before pulling the old balancer. That way, when you get the new balancer installed, you can tell if the timing marks match up (the pointer should still be pointing at 0 degrees - or it's not exactly the same as the old one).

I guess if the new one is off, you need to adjust the pointer so its on the 0 degrees mark.

My problem is that I spun the outer ring off my stock balancer. (See my earlier thread ) So I couldn't have gotten it to TDC, and I certainly can't now without opening up more stuff.

So here's my question. I seem to remember that the key on the crank was exactly pointing up when my motor was at TDC when I had the motor torn down for my HCI buildup. Is that right? - Does it sit at the top of the crank when at TDC? And if so, can't I just point that up again, then pop the distributor cap to make sure I'm on my TDC mark?

Any other ideas?

 

[urban96]

i dont think it matters because the balancer should have a keyway on it and only go on in one position and as long as your timing was fine with the old one it should be fine with this one, but it dosent hurt to check the timing with a light after you get it on

 

[GRGT1994]

Ya, and as long as the 0 degree mark on the new balancer is precisely at the same point as the old one was, right?

 

[HISSIN50]

It makes no difference, like was said. You can have no timing marks on your new balancer - the keyway is all that matters. It will index the new balancer.

And even though the outer ring slid, unless the key snapped, the inner ring was still fine.

Now you can go to TDC once the new one is installed (since you will have a balancer to ref it) and make sure the piston is at TDC, if you want.

Good luck.

 

[CManT1914]

Yep, like JT said, the balancer (like many other critical components) only goes on one way. You can't really screw it up. If you want peace of mind, pull #1 plug, stick your finger in the hole, and turn the crank until you feel air coming out, you're close to TDC on the compression stroke then.