Does anybody know of a degree marking tape that I can get immediately or within a day or two that is the correct spacing and size for the slant?

Sam

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You could always make one.........

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

You are right, as always. And if there is nothing quick and easy, I will do that. I just thought maybe there was a standard piece that all you engine builder types knew and used.

Sam

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Errr... There is no way to install a "timing tape" on a Factory (grooved) SL6 damper...
Me... I just punch a "cluster" of extra marks onto the damper, at 25, 30 & 35 degrees.
DD

The quickest and easiest way to do it is to get a cloth tape measure and wrap around the balancer to measure its circumference. Then divide that reading by 360. This will tell you in thousandths how far one degree is measured. Then multiply by how many degrees you are trying to find and transfer that to the balancer from TDC. Highlight with some white or yellow paint to help see with a timing light. Since there isn't a universal timing tape available because it depends on the actual OD or circumference of the individual balancer, this will be the most accurate method for any balancer.

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There's no such thing as too much cam....only not enough engine!

Or you can use the current damper & "timing tab" on the engine to find the 25, 30 & 35 positions.

Most timing tabs have TDC (zero) then 5, 10 & 15 degree marks.
Line the damper's mark to zero then put a new pencel mark on the damper at 15 degrees BTDC.
Move the new mark to the zero line on the tab and punch a new mark on the damper were it lines-up to 10 & 15 on the tab... that will be 25 & 30 degrees actual. (15 + 10 = 25)
You will have to move again, by 5 degrees to get to the 35 degree position.
Try to be as accurate as possible but to be honest, these just become reference marks for trying and "fine tuning" the total advance at the track.
DD

Is there any reason on a stock motor to use any other degree marks then only the factory tab and damper

Another timing mark at 30 degrees BTDC allows you to check total distributor advance. (less vacuum advance) at higher RPMs, with-out having a dial-back timing light.

A commom problem with a SL6 is that the engine runs better at idle and low RPMs with more initial advance but runs "flat" at high RPMs because adding more initial spart advance also adds more total advance.
Slant Six engines seem to run the best at 30 degrees total. (over 2500 RPMs)
Adding a second mark at 30 allow you to "see" that.
DD

Oh well, beeing a vw mechanic stock motors usually need a dial light. So I guess I have nothing to worry about

In this case, we are using the 25 BTDC mark to time the reluctor passing the VR pickup in the distributor for EFI. This is done static while turning the engine by hand. My timing tab has only 10 degree and 5 degree marks, but that is enough to extrapolate out to 25. Thanks for the tips.

Sam

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