I have a 77 Maverick with a 302. I change the intake and carb to edlebrock. I went to do the timing and I notice that I don't have a timing mark. Is this normal? The people at the auto stores here think I'm crazy just asking for a timing light so I can't get any help from them.
They should be on the harmonic balancer. Sometimes its hard to see them, put a little paint or chalk and they'll light up.
There should be a pointer on the front engine cover and marks, which are stamped into the harmonic balancer, Take a rag and clean off the pully and I like to use chalk to mark where I want the timing to be set. Hook up the timing light and unhook and plug the vacume line to the distributor. The timing marks are on the pully on the crankshaft btw. The book says that it should be 6 deg, before tdc fro a stick shift or 4 deg. btdc for a auto. You will need a timing light to do the job. Good luck and happy motoring.
How's the weather up there right now? Some times you need to sand the balancer with sand paper to find the marks.
The problem is also that the timing marks are hidden by the alternator and other stuff on the passenger side front of the engine. You have to hold the light and your head just right to see the marks even after you get them to show up.
I recently discovered this as well with my 77 engine. My earlier engine had the marks conveniently on the drivers side, easy to see. Of course that had to change!
