the motor is already in the car. how do i find tdc to put my new dist. in?

 

Pull #1 plug, put finger in plug hole.

Rotate engine (clockwise)until you feel air start coming out of cylinder.

Look at timing marks and continue to rotate until the marks line up at TDC.

Drop dist.

------------------
ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R
and 2 POS commuters...

R.I.P. #3
"He can see air"

 

Assuming the timing marks are correct.

 

they would have to be correct, unless he's using an aftermarket timing cover or he has a slipped harmonic balancer..

i wouldn't do the finger in hole waiting for compression trick.

Take off the driver side valve cover, that's a piece of cake to do.

Using a strongarm (long bar with a socket on it) rotate the engine while you watch the #1 cylinder intake and exhaust valves.. the exhaust valve is the front one, intake is the 2nd from the front. Rotate the engine over, watching the #1 valve (exhaust) open and close. You will then see #2 valve (intake) open and then close. When the #2 valve starts to close WATCH YOUR BALANCER. You will see the line starting to come around. Stop at 0 and you're set.

This of course is assuming that you do not have a slipped balancer, in which case you should do the "finger in hole" trick.

Remember the four strokes, intake, compression, combustion exhaust.

Going by that, the exhaust valve should be closing while the intake valve starts to open. Close the exhaust and as soon as the intake closes it's at, or very close, to #1 cylinder TDC.

Hope this helps.

I'm also giving you 2 links to tech articles I've written on this subject.. if you need more help email me at admin@IROC-Z.org

http://www.iroc-z.org/tech/distribut...ngdistrib.html
http://www.iroc-z.org/tech/distributor/settingtiming

good luck!
Colin

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Webmaster: www.IROC-Z.org

 

To each his own....I've been doing this for 15 years in customers cars and never had a problem.

If the balancer ring has slipped, either way you do it , the marks will be off TDC.

If the balancer is good, there is no difference.

------------------
ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R
and 2 POS commuters...

R.I.P. #3
"He can see air"



[This message has been edited by Engineboy (edited July 15, 2001).]

 

i never said your way was the wrong way

I just tend to like seeing with my own eyes what the engine is doing, both to rule out my mistake and to make sure everything was assembled correctly, heh

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Webmaster: www.IROC-Z.org

 

I don't trust balancer marks. Balancers are bull droppings. The mark is only connected to the engine by a blob of spooge.

I use a dial indicator on the piston to find TDC. As previously stated, look for the #1 intake to close as the engine is rotated,; the next time the #1 piston reaches TDC, is the point you are looking for by whatever means.

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

 

I hear ya.. its like adjusting valves...everybody has their own way and their own spec...

Sorry, didn't mean to sound defensive


------------------
ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R
and 2 POS commuters...

R.I.P. #3
"He can see air"

 

lol, s'ok hehe..

the best way (of course) to set TDC is with the timing chain cover off but once the engine is in the car you're at the mercy of the Camaro gods, lol

 

i just put on my alt. and new valve covers so removing them is out of the question again. what about watching the rockers from the oil fill hole

 

no chance, the oil filler is too far back, and it's baffled so oil doesn't slosh up..

 

In that case...use the "finger in the hole" trick....hehehhh...I said hole..heheh.

------------------
ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R
and 2 POS commuters...

R.I.P. #3
"He can see air"

 

lol