[27Tall T]

I have an '89 small block with the short water pump and billet pulleys. Lack of space dictates the use of the short pump. I've yanked the damper off the engine and found that the timing mark is about 39-40 degrees to the left of the keyway. Been unable to time the engine because I imagine that the timing was once done at the 12 o'clock position. Attached to the chain cover is a pointer which has been useless as far as the timing is concerned. I have a new damper that has the timing mark 10 degrees to the left of the keyway. Can I use this damper and have the timing mark at least come close to the timing tab? Both dampers are 6 3/4", but the original is 1 3/4" wide and the other is 1 1/4". Also because of the difference in width would the pulleys still line up?

[RWENUTS]

Simply find tdc on #1 and cut a small line in your balancer at the zero mark on your timing tab that's on the timing cover.

[Silver Surfer]

You can find TDC on #1 and then make a timing tape for the balancer.

It is common for the outer inertia ring to slip on an OEM balancer. This should be a warning to you that:
1) it is not damping effectively right now and you are causing excess wear and losing HP
2) the rubber elastomer is wearing out and the balancer my come apart at speed and do real damage to your engine or other bystanders or cars.

I am not sure on the difference in thickness. Perhaps thinner ones just do not press on as deep on the crank snout.

GM used 3 different timing mark locations over the years.