I hate the timing marks on the 3FE just like everyone else and also like all of us tractor engine owners, I want to take advantage of the benefits of increased spark advance. The trick with a half dozen mirrors 
to get at the marks on the flex plate ring gear just doesn't do it for me. Since the front of the cruiser is apart and my buddy has a CNC mill in his garage, I fashioned up a simple pointer tab and bolted it to the front engine cover and it overhangs the edge of the crankshaft pulley. I lined up the OEM timing marks and went underneath to centre punch the pulley at the tip of the pointer. So along comes the CNC mill and now I have timing marks that I can use. Yes I need to get under the front of the truck to use it but once it's set there's no need to do it again. Maybe not the best alternative but I think it'll work out for me. I'll keep you posted next month when I get to fire it up.
Marks are at 0, 7, 10, 12.5, and 15 degrees
This one shows the X-Y for each mark made with a 1/4" end mill. Each mark is about 0.70" wide
to get at the marks on the flex plate ring gear just doesn't do it for me. Since the front of the cruiser is apart and my buddy has a CNC mill in his garage, I fashioned up a simple pointer tab and bolted it to the front engine cover and it overhangs the edge of the crankshaft pulley. I lined up the OEM timing marks and went underneath to centre punch the pulley at the tip of the pointer. So along comes the CNC mill and now I have timing marks that I can use. Yes I need to get under the front of the truck to use it but once it's set there's no need to do it again. Maybe not the best alternative but I think it'll work out for me. I'll keep you posted next month when I get to fire it up.
Marks are at 0, 7, 10, 12.5, and 15 degrees
This one shows the X-Y for each mark made with a 1/4" end mill. Each mark is about 0.70" wide
The timing marks are relative to the pointer position. So make your own pointer and centre punch the pulley at TDC at the tip of the pointer. You can use the dimensions to find the next mark location, centre punch it at the tip of the pointer. Continue on and then remove the pulley and use a triangle file to make the lines at each centre punch location.
