Update.. @#$ roof is 99% done the trim is going to wait until I get the truck running !
Next items are:
Balancer lock down
EDIS timing wheel install and alignment
Oil pick up install
Oil pan install (in the end I went with a fabricated pan - the cast pan project is onthe back burner until the winter).
Engine install.
Hope to have all of the above done before Sunday evening.
The harmonic balancer on the vortec 4.2 is not keyed to the crankshaft nor does it have any timing marks on it as the timing reference comes off the trigger wheel that is part of the crankshaft. This is fine if the GM electronics is used.
For my installation I need to fix the balancer to the crank so I can add timing marks to it to setup the EDIS system. To do this I ground the front inner face of the balancer crankshaft hub flush to the crankshaft in 1 spot using a flame tip carbide bit in the die grinder.
Once I had flush spot I drilled a 0.125" hole between the crank snout OD and balancer ID parallel to the crank snout. After cleaning the chips out I drove a 1/8" dowel pin into the hole. this locked the balancer to the crankshaft. GM uses a special diamond double sided washer to bite into the back of the balancer and the front of crank gear that runs the oil pump, to keep the balancer from moving the factory speca calls for the balncer bolt to be cranked to 110 lbs-ft torque + 1/2 a turn... <<< right!! this took a 4 ft pipe on the breaker bar - I was wondering if the engine stand was going to flip..
After finding TDC, 10, 30 & 60 deg. BTDC, I marked the timing cover as a timing reference and then scribed and stamped timing marks on the balancer drive belt pulley back wall that runs up against the block.
Once I get the engine running I'll need to check the EDIS timing wheel alignment using a timing light. With the spark advance control input wire disconnected the EDIS system goes into limp home mode and fires the coils at 10 deg BTDC. This is adjusted by moving the pick up sensor.
