440 Harmonic Balancer Timing Marks Off

440Leroy said
That is exactly what I plan on doing. My intent with this post wasn't to invalidate the degreeing of a cam only to see if anyone had came across this situation and knew right off. Which my first thought before I posted anything was that im on the exhaust stroke. I was simply going by what Edelbrock said. as stated I did buy a degreeing kit with plans on doing so but when I read that I assumed there was not a need. I like the old saying, If youv never messed up then youv never tried.. Appreciate the comments and hopfully this will help someone else in the future.

I think you are not completely understanding the idea of being at Tdc on the exhaust stroke or tdc on the power stroke. Top dead center has nothing to do with cam timing. Top dead center number 1 cylinder is verified using a piston stop as mentioned earlier. All this talk of cam degreeing came up because the first step of degreeing a cam is finding true top dead center. You say you have done this and it is 20 degrees off of your mark. Assuming you did it correctly that part is done. Make a new mark at the true top dead center Mark. Use this mark if you choose to degree your cam and set your ignition timing .
If you choose to not degree your cam then that is up to you. You are done. Your original question answered.
As far as the merits of degreeing a cam that is another subject. Thousands of motors are put together every day with out cam degreeing. Personally I highly recommend doing it on any performance motor but that is just me.