OT: I can't find the pointer.

I cannot see/feel any pointer for the timing marks on a '79 Buick Regal 305/4B engine. The engine was made by Chevrolet Division. It looks like a 1" thick harmonic balancer is behind the crank pulley. Can the timing plate break off? It must stick out quite a ways to reach any marks on the pulley. The timing gun doesn't show any mark on the pulley either. The engine runs terrible; someone has already set the distributor by ear because it was a no start condition after sitting a couple of months. Also the carb fuel filter called for seems to be too long. It gets twisted & squashed a bit when installed. The engine seems starved for fuel, even with a new fuel pump.
The auto supply always come up with the same filter number off the computer.
Any help appreciated.

If that is the one where the filter fits between carb and fuel line there is two choices a short one and long one. I kept having trouble and finally took the filters out and put a in line filter on. The parts guy said the ones in the carb were hard to get and suggested I switch to these. Seems that works better and easier to switch when needed.

Thanks for your input. Yes, it fits in the carb. Thats probably the answer, they only sell the most popular filter. But it would be difficult to put an inline filter between the pump and carb, as the steel line is buried behind cooling hoses and other engine stuff. Maybe down by the fuel pump, but then it's exposed to road trash.

maybe you can use a mirror and flashlight or even a wire with a small hook on the end and work around to be sure there isn't a piece of a old filter that has been broke off and laying in the hole where the filter goes. Did you find a spring in there?

The short filter is 1" shorter, same car, V6 2bbl

Yes, the spring is in there. It pushes the filter back out. I'll try the shorter filter next.

There are 3 possible filters, long or short paper, or short bronze. It won't be the bronze one unless someone put an older carb on. If it takes the long paper one, it will have a long filter housing, about 2" overall. The short one goes with the short housing. The short housing has no "cylinder" shape extension, it's all hex nut shape. Like Ron said, maybe a short filter jammed up inside the housing. Also the filter will only go in one way, with the hole toward the fuel line, and the spring inside the carb housing.

Also check the rubber hoses at the pump and at the tank. If they're rotten and cracked it will starve fuel. There is also a screen in the tank.

Been a while since I've put a timing light on one but either the timing tab would be welded to the chain cover, looking down behind the water pump, or it could be on a bolt on tab on the left side (I think) of the chain cover. The bolt on could have been easily left off by the last technician to change the timing chain.

The mark on the balancer will be a deep, machined groove.

Before timing it, if you do find the tab, take a look in the distributor. Those were known for the weights rusting in place and the plastic bushings and springs failing.

And check the vacuum advance. And... the rotors would burn through the center.

Another fail was the EGR leaking. Cam going flat. Plastic timing gears. Heads cracking.

Ahhh! The good old days!

Thanks S@A, for all the bad news, and it's not even my car!

Slowpoke

Slow, if, in fact you have 305 VIN H (Chevrolet 305) engine, the stationary timing mark is cleverly hidden BEHIND the water pump.

Look down from the top, behind the center of the waterpump, and you will see it.

This photo is of a 350, but your 305 will be the same.

<img src = "http://www.slonaker.net/images/truck/TDC.jpg">

You need to look at the emissions decal and get a base timing number (and further directions as to what to do with the the vacuum (or, POSSIBLY electronic) advance.

Then, take a CLOSE look at the damper for a NOT so drastic timing mark and chalk it.

The DEEP notch in the timing tab on the timing chain cover is TDC, note which mark to the left of it corresponds to the desired base timing, and chalk it, as well.

Then, whip out your timing light!

A kink in the steel line into the carb is common and catastrophic to operation.

bobs photo

Didn't mean to be discouraging... When you said it ran terrible, just looking back on some of the typical reason they did! LOL

Bob, thanks for the link to the picture. As far as the decals are concerned, there are none under the hood. Only the black cardboard covering the insulation. The Chilton's says to plug the advance and set timing to 4°btdc. I'll get back to the car next week.
The owner has been offered $2500 for it when it runs OK. Any comments on the price?
Slowpoke