issue setting timing on sbc 350

[Project86]

When I built the motor was told a while back I needed the center timing tab that is located behind the water pump.
upon further inspection I noticed it is really hard to even see the timing tab itself as I have a short water pump
Another thing I noticed is I'm not able to even see the timing mark and seems like my balancer isn't on all the way however I haven't had any problems with it.

Does anyone have any reference pictures of their setup and maybe I can fix what's wrong or deal with it entirely??
Please any advice is welcome. I'm not home right now but my truck is at my friends garage.

[86c20]

watching this. i will be digging into same type of thing.

can you get the tap that goes by the ps pump in there? may work better

[rich weyand]

Get under the truck and clean off the outer edge of the balancer with lacquer thinner. Look for the timing mark(s). Bump the engine, look again, until you find the TDC mark. paint it with white paint stick or eraser fluid like White-Out. Now get up above it and look to see if you can check your timing.

[Project86]

I will certainly do that when I get home.
Now the only reason I am even asking this is because I do need to get timing dialed in. I think my distributor may not be tightened down all the way and timing is changing. Motors been built and running for over a year now with no issues.

This is just something I may be over thinking when I changed plugs and wires haha