Timing - Basic Question

[rpark]

To me, a layman, there appears to be two places on the balancer to check timing. One is a circular hole located lower on the passenger side... the other is a line located a little higher up on the passenger side. See attached image. I'm not exactly sure which one I should be using to check timing. I recently upgraded a lot of stuff, heads, intake, etc and I'm not exactly sure where I need to be lining up the distributor.

I started out using the line marking, but my headers would glow hard and fast. So now I'm trying to use TDC at the center of the circular marking. Both spots start and run, but both had other issues. Which marking am I supposed to line up with the -0- TDC on the crank/balancer?

 

[larrym1961]

You don't want to set your timing by the one with the hole, your timing would certainly be way retarded. The pointer for the timing is the one farther up at about 11 o'clock above your balancer.

 

[Rick 91GT]

The bracket that the hole is in, follow it up towards the balancer you'll see wear it ends has a nice flat, that is where you check the timing...

Remember to pull the spout connector first

 

[fastpony81]

I have mine at this location as well the flat spot on the bracket I have a regular timing light not the one with the dial I have mine lined up perfect and have followed the instructions on installing a new dizzy to a T . I have a low end load up issue right now at first start it wants to load up pop back fire in the intake some I go threw 2 or 3 gears get it up to 55 or so then it seems good for a little while but then if I let the car sit for a few turn it off or hit traffic light the thing acts up all over again. I know lots of things can cause this I am a steady idle at 1000 rpm when its fine but then when it acts up it goes up and down I see lots of things in the surging idle check list I am going to start checking to see what I come up with I just bought the obd1 scanner so I hope this tells me something. I seen this post and kind of wanted to know if I had something wrong? does the timing light with a dial mean better timing tunning? Also I saw thier is no such thing as a tooth off but is that not true? lol I mean it runs starts and drives most of the time its fine but has issues maybe other people have the same thing going on? My original post was 87 5.0 wont start so if you want check out what I am dealing with. Thanks for all of the help from all the people on here. I am wondering about the poster of this thread and how his car is after setting the timing????