[patpip]

I am trying to simply set the timing on my '68 Mustang 289c 2V Automatic. Adding Pertronix II and new matching Coil to a a recently rebuilt engine. but I always check everything before I do anything...
AND...
I have all the specs and I know how to set timing but the markings (TDC and lines) are different from what I have ever seen before. They are darn hard to see to start with and then what I see is odd or different.

I have not set timing on this car or a Ford V8 in 25 Years... been mostly a 6cyl guy for a long, long time. so this could be normal.. but it has me baffled.

Has anyone any advice or maybe a diagram of what the timing marks on this engine should look like???

 

[Woodchuck]

Use some Wite-Out to brighten your pointer and your desired setting on the balancer. Don't forget that number one cylinder is the front one on the passenger side.

 

[MJB68]

Pat,
My 68 289 had no visible timing line what so ever on the harmonic balancer.
I ended up finding TDC (compression stroke of cyl 1 of course) with a dial indicator,
and adding a timing-tape to it.
Summit sells them for $5, ....cheap enough.

 

[qbui]

Mine is like this. Had to use a strong flashlight to see the marks. Cleaned them and then used white paint to mark the 10, 0, 10, 20...

 

[Guest]

All you have to do is lightly sand the balancer. That should make the marks show up. You can take some white paint and wipe it over the marks and wipe off. I have had to do this dozens of times over the years, no hard to do.

 

[Blues Power]

or you can just find TDC mark that and use a dial back to zero timing light.

that's the why I do it so I don't have to squint over the fan and pullyies

to me its more accurate than looking at the damper too

 

[patpip]

Thanks y'all for the info I believe qbui gave me the perfect answer.. The diagram he sent brought it into view for me. The marks I could see even after cleaning were so faint all I could see was a BTC (no D) and a few lines. I believe some more removal of paint further up the balancer and some white out and I've got it.