Appreciation post: That time a white paint pen made timing belt alignment simple

I was struggling to line up the timing marks on an engine rebuild last week. Another mechanic suggested dabbing white paint on the gears, and it was so much clearer. What's your favorite way to mark timing during reassembly?

2 comments

2 Comments

harper_singh181d ago

White paint pens are a classic. I usually go for a bright nail polish dot if I'm in a pinch. Stays put and you can find it in any garage.

the_logan23h ago

My friend Mark's garage in Toledo is where I learned about using chalk for timing marks. Honestly, it was a disaster because the chalk dust got everywhere and blurred the lines. Tbh, we spent more time cleaning chalk off the engine than actually aligning it. Ngl, after that, I switched to paint pens and never looked back. They give a clear, lasting mark that doesn't mess up your work. It's funny how the simplest tools can make or break a job.