I want to ask questions about timing that will give me the proper understanding of the timing, not just reading the idiot marks. My first question however is about one of the idiot marks. LOL.

Diamond on the cover above the oil pump sprocket and the notch on the sprocket. This is correct for TDC?




Second question, if I remove the timing cover with the marks on bottom how do I know where TDC is without the cover marks? I have the number one piston up (and number 4 of course) at the top so I'd like to know if that is all I need to be where I need to be or if I rotated it again the marks on the harmonic balancer would change position when the #1 piston comes to TDC again? (like a 2:1 ratio)

I have the head ready to go back on the engine so I can set the head anywhere I want before I put it on. What is the way to make absolutely sure it is at TDC just like the oil pump and harmonic balancer?

 

As long as I am on the TC mark I should be in the spot, right? I'm trying not to be a tooth off and having to redo it.

So the oil pump notch at the diamond is supposedly right, but that's not the case for the cam which the key is tdc and the notch is 10 o'clock. Confusing because when I took the engine apart and the block and head were at tdc the oil pump sprocket was also at 10 like the cam sprocket. The key for the oil pump sprocket is in the identical position as the cam so which is right. Put the notch at tdc or the key? As stated for the record the key on them was tdc when it came off. (Why even put that notch there?)

This leads me to believe I should have the oil pump sprocket notch and cam sprocket notch at 10 o'clock then put the mark on the harmonic balancer pulley to TC.

SOUND RIGHT?