I just took my 1976 450SL in to get Smog repairs and a Smog test. Fortunately It passed the Test, however I believe the Technician may have retarded the Timing a bit to nudge the emissions lower. The car seems to not be running quite as strong as before and backfires a bit when I step on the pedal.

Question is I can not see the timing marks very well if all on the harmonic balancer with my timing light. Looks like I can just make out a Letter B and that's it, not much else is visible for reference point. I am inside in my garage with the lights out. I am pointing the timing light down at the Crank Shaft from the Drivers side of the engine.

Should I be on the other side, passenger side, looking for the timing marks? Maybe I need to clean up a the crank shaft a bit? Should I try to find the TDC Mark with engine off and Put a Silver Line with Paint at TDC?

Just want to verify if the Timing is slightly off since they did the work.

Thanks ... any advice would be appreciated.

I think I solved my problem, found & cleaned the stationary Marker (arrow), Painted that OSHA Yellow, found the TDC Mark, Cleaned it and Painted it with a Silver Line.

Loostened up the dist. cap, ran at Idle at 900 Revs, adjusted the Dist. Got Both to Align, and it Runs Like a Rocket... Cool..