TA Timing Cover Tab Accuracy?

Anyone with experience with it... how accurate is the timing tab as opposed to the factory cast in markings?

 

Been using the bolt on plastic timing tab for years, no issues

 

When I degreed my cam i had the engine at exact tdc. The timing mark was 2 degrees retarded.

 

Easy way to determine if mine is accurate with the engine in the car?

 

.Pull a plug insert a dial indicator with an extension,..turn engine till the instant the dial stops rising,.note its # then continue to turn the engine till the needle starts to drop note that # then reverse the direction until you split the difference that will somewhat allow for the dwell time then not the position of the groove and 0 on the tab

You can also just run it up till the needle stops then go another bump or two,...it will be fairly close

Piston dwell time will equate to several degrees of crank rotation so for what your trying to do you want to be as accurate as possible or your just pissing in the wind

 

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/80527/10002/-1

These are handy too

You can always find true TDC with a positive stop and degree wheel obviously but you'll need to take stuff off to gain access

 

True, Mine was also, I had forgotten about that, its was years ago when I marked my balancer.
Mr.Sony, the only way to do it accurately is to find TRUE TDC, and the only way I've done it is with a degree wheel.