It was the moogoogaipan!

OK, all kidding aside I don't quite understand how feeling the movement of the piston is as accurate as the tdc finder tool with the adjustable rod that stops the piston.
Turn the engine one way 'til the tool stops the piston, mark the balancer at the timing pointer, then turn it the other way 'til the tool stops the piston, and mark that.
Then your timing mark should be exactly halfway between the marks (unless the balancer is FUBAR).
Using the tool that way one can even adjust it so the piston stops higher in the bore, then the marks you make will be closer together. Might be easier to measure?
Mind you, this is all theory to me. I'm hoping someone with hands-on experience can enlighten me.

ATB and Merry Christmas to all

BC

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'64 Dart GT convertible, 64 Dart 170 2-door post sedan in faded blue and rust (the Az Dart) & a sixty THREE Dart 170 2-door post sedan in faded blue and rust. (future project)
Early Dart Disorder (EDD) is real, and I've got it!

Glad to hear you got it running. Merry Christmas!

Here comes Slanta Claus
Here comes Slanta Claus
Leanin' to the right.....

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Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

The ROMAC balancer is spot on. TDC is "0".Timing was not the issue(I don't think?),it had to be the coil or condenser. Distributor is set right in the middle on the back adjustment and the front ,once I get my timing light fixed or replaced I should be able to smooth it out.(although it is fairly smooth right now!

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1964 Dart GT

Sounds like you've got the mechanical timing spot on. Nothing wrong with improvised tools either, if they get the job done.
I've improvised a bunch myself, and some of them did not work, derailed the project, and I had to buy the tool I really needed.
So, once again, congrats!!

ATB and Merry Christmas

BC

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'64 Dart GT convertible, 64 Dart 170 2-door post sedan in faded blue and rust (the Az Dart) & a sixty THREE Dart 170 2-door post sedan in faded blue and rust. (future project)
Early Dart Disorder (EDD) is real, and I've got it!