Posted by mark dingbaum on Thursday, April 17, 2003 at 3:31PM :
In Reply to: Finding Top Dead Center??? posted by Chris on Thursday, April 17, 2003 at 2:45PM :
Hi,
Typical method is to insert a mechanical stop, turn the motor over by hand until the #1 piston hits the stop, mark pully/hub/whatever, then reverse the direction and turn over by hand until the #1 piston hits the stop again, mark the pully/hub/whatever, TDC is the center of the two marks. If the spark plug is above the piston (I don't know), then you can build a tool by using a spark plug and knocking out everything except the threaded shell. Put a bolt through the shell and a nut on the piston side. Let the bolt extend into the cylinder far enough to hit the piston near the top of its travel. Be very careful you don't turn the engine over too hard and stick the TDC stop through the piston. Don't use the starter.
good luck,
mark