Help with timing cover

I purchased a new GM timing cover for my '70 350 GS. The new cover does not have timing marks. What do I do to time it? Is there an indicator I can buy that fits on this cover? Does T/A or someone else make a cover that is like the original that has the marks on the cover? I appreciate any info on this subject.

 

Jim,
I've got one from a '70 350, $15/shipped. I wish I was in Seattle right now.

LMK,
Taylor

 

Here's a picture....

 

I had to go with a stock timing indicator from GM for the later engines as shown above. PM me if you need the part number. I think that I could find it - somewhere.

 

Part number?

Oh yeah its right here. Wait a minute I'll find it, Oh here it is. It's
J-U-N-K-Y-A-R-D ! Thats the timing pointer they started using around 1975 and was used till the end of 350 production in 1981. It should be really easy to find and remove and most parts yards give them away.

 

I was gonna say, that doesn't look like the one on my '70 350... I wish it were that nice!

 

yep, ours only goes to what, 8?

 

Re: Part number?

Yeah, that's true too! I don't know why I didn't think of it, but the dealer was pretty cheap, too.
Mine is a variant of the one shown. The 15 degree arrow is not there.

 

By the way - what the heck is that little hole on the bottom of that indicator? Mine doesn't have that either. On the base of mine it says "Before" - like we didn't know that it was BTDC.

Maybe Buick redesigned the indicator for todays' contemporary auto mechanics

 

The hole is for a magnetic probe, dealerships and other well-funded shops used a magnetic pickup for the timing light, the "technician" didn't have to peer into the greasy, slimy, fan-blade-spinning engine compartment. Shove the probe into the hole, start the engine, read the dial on the meter. Spin the distributor as needed.

 

on my original 1970 timing cover, i believe it is permanently affixed, and only marks 0 4 and 8 iirc.

 

Here's a picture of the earlier cover.

 

Yep thats it

Yes sir thats it. thats the cover that was used up until about 74 early 75 then they went to the new style with the attachable pointer. It was used on the 350's till 81(full size buick wagons used the buick 350 in 81) and on the v6's till around 84 or5 when they went to a different cover again for the different oil pan bolt count, Thats wht the aftermarket(pioneer)front cover has that wierd pointed front surface so that it can be used on all three apps. 350, and odd/evenfire v6's.

 

This one has timing marks 0-15 and is the same as my '67 340 timing cover. Are there ones with different timing marks? The plastic timing tag off my '70 350 must be a replacement then?

 

Thanks!

That is an interesting tidbit for sure. kinda wish I could set timing that way!

 

What years were timed at 6B?