VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc Top Dead Center 216 (yes again)

My ultimate goal is to get the 216 on my '47 TDC and eventually get the timing straightened out. I know there is plenty of posts on this topic but those tips haven't really helped quite yet. I had to remove spark plugs, plug wires, distributor in order to change the push rod cover gasket. I thought I put everything back the way I found it but I'm having trouble getting it started so now I want to start over from a worst case point of view.

I think my first problem is finding TDC. If I line up the bb on the flywheel with the pointer isn't there a 50/50 chance of being TDC and 180 degrees out? How can I find TDC for certain and not being 180 out. I'm pretty much doing this alone so any tips in those regards will help. Thanks in advance guys

Pull the valve cover off, and, take the plugs out. Pull the engine over until you see the BB line up with the pointer in the window. If the intake and exhaust valves on #1 cylinder are both closed (both rocker arms loose), then you're at top dead center for #1, and, you can set up your distributor from there - it should be in firing position for #1. If the intake and exhaust valves for #6 cylinder are closed then you're at TDC for #6, and, you need to pull the engine over until you see the BB again to get you to #1 at TDC.

Regards:
Oldengineer

Thanks for your reply, if I had to remove the valve cover I would probably need to get a new gasket as I had to use plenty of silicone to seal that leaking gasket. But if that's what I gotta do I'll do it.

There is another way without removing the valve cover. Remove all of the spark plugs. Put your thumb on number one cylinder and have someone crank the engine over until the BB is on the pointer. If the compression blows your thumb off of the hole you are on number one cylinder. If not, you are on number six. Go around again until your thumb feels compression on number one cylinder and the BB is lined up with the pointer.

Man , you love making life tough on yourself...I tell you how to do this the easy way...First, take all the wheels off your car...You know how eBay works, don't you...?

You remember where # 1 plug wire is supposed to be, don't you...? On the Dizzy....? Okay, when you re-insert the dizzy it's gonna be a little off , do to the helical gear...Get that crap lined up... It's gonna take you a couple of try's anyway...'till The dizzy seats all the way and the rotor points right to #1 plug on the cap...

But, before this, rotate the motor till you see the intake valve close...Stick a chop stick, if you happen to be eating Chinese...To make sure the piston is at the "top" of the engine...Remember, intake closed...piston at the top...Dizzy slides in kinda funny ...try it twice ti make sure it lines up with # 1 on the cap ( or sometimes there's a groove on the dizzy...Finish pot-stickers before they get cold...Oh, crap...tell your "hommie" he'd better make another "run"

Shade tree method.

Because you have already glued it down, just leave the valve cover in place.

Place a piece of wire or something (I use a pine straw) into number one cylinder spark plug hole. Slowly turn the engine over until the device comes up and the BB is lined up with the pointer. Look for no motion on the pine straw (whatever) as the BB comes in sight. Then you can insert the distributer to where the rotor button is aligned with number one. Piece o-cake!

Caution:

The device in the spark plug hole should be long enough that at bottom of the stroke it still has some showing. That's why I use a long leaf pine needle. But If I guess wrong with the straw then no big deal. If you use a piece of wire the cylinder head may have to be removed to get it out. So get it long enough.

Charlie

Fleetboy,

As long as we have found so few ways to find this out,let me add another. Only remove the #1 and the #6 spark plugs. Rotate the flywheel until you see the timing marks on it. Shoot a blast of air, from your compressor, into the # 1 or #6 spark plug holes. If the valves are open the air will pass through, if closed the air will squirt back out. To make small adjustments, take the cover off the flywheel and you can move it by prying the teeth against the housing with a large screwdriver.

Good luck, Mike

P.S. Flywheel cover's do not use a gasket.

Mike,

Fleetboy didn't say anything 'bout having no stinkin' compressor. Even if he had one, he'd get some blowback. And, still be a-scratching his head.

My method is simple and foolproof. And doesn't require any special equipment. Just a long leaf pine needle. You can't top that. Upon request I'll send you one. You can keep it in your special equipment box. They come in threes. Just break one off when you need it.

Charlie