dead timing

[cwhubb]

I was setting up my 440 via dead timing method after an electronic dist swap and I'm second guessing myself. I used a handle from a plastic spoon in the number 1 plug hole found tdc then I backed it off just a hair the piston barely moved down, maybe moved 1 timing degree. I centered the zero on the crank with the timing line. I thought everything was fine till I read an article saying to make a mark at tdc then reverse the rotation till tdc, mark that then split the difference tween the two marks and you have tdc. am I good to go the way I did it? I'm having visions of the piston slaming into the spark plug. BTW I havent started the car yet I'm re wiring the engine bay.
Thanks

 

[tpodwdog]

you have to find TDC on the compression stroke... make sure its compression and not the exhaust stroke. if youre setting an engine up im sure i dont need to elaborate any further.

yes....dead *** TDC is found by locating the "highest" point of the piston by finding it.....rotate a bit til the spoon goes down,,,,THENNNNN,,,,rotate the other way until the spoon goes down.....split the diff and thats dead *** TDC.

spark plugs for these engines are short throw....meaning theres only about 4 or 5 threads on the plug....you aint gonna hit the piston with the right plug. i use autolite 86's.

also make sure when you DO find TDC....that the rotor in the dizzy is pointing at #1 plug.

firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 COUNTER CLOCKWISE!

 

[Cranky]

The only true way to find exact TDC is by using a piston stop and the stop needs to be a solid stop. Rotate the engine until the piston comes up against the stop, mark the balancer then you reverse the engine until it stops again and mark the balancer at that spot. Half way between those two marks should be true TDC. Make sure you are on the compression stroke before doing this and go easy when you are getting close to the top of the stroke. You don't want to hit the stop hard.

 

[440roadrunner]

The only true way to find exact TDC is by using a piston stop and the stop needs to be a solid stop. Rotate the engine until the piston comes up against the stop, mark the balancer then you reverse the engine until it stops again and mark the balancer at that spot. Half way between those two marks should be true TDC. Make sure you are on the compression stroke before doing this and go easy when you are getting close to the top of the stroke. You don't want to hit the stop hard.

You don't find TDC using straws, pencils, or spoons. And TDC does NOT tell you that your are on no1 ready to fire. You must either feel for compression, or look at the valves, IE both valves closed.

 

[cwhubb]

Sorry for not being a clear communicator. Here's what I did, I did it on the compression stroke, found tdc then reversed the rotation (backed it off) about 1 degree of timing. I didnt mention I up graded to an electric distributor the main reason for the dead timing. then I aligned the 0 with the timing line on the indicator.

 

[cwhubb]

Also I checked the rockers and push rods on number one and they were both loose so I know the valves were closed.
I really appreciate you guys letting me pick your minds, Every thing I learned about cars was from holding the flash light. I should use that for my quote lol

 

[RustyRatRod]

Now why would anybody wanna do anything that makes such perfect sense when they can ask joe blow down the street with his chebbies, then go online and ask a bajillion other people on other forums, then ask their brother's best friends uncles girlfriend and lastly call in a voodoo witch doctor? Plastic spoon. Now I have indeed heard it all.

The only true way to find exact TDC is by using a piston stop and the stop needs to be a solid stop. Rotate the engine until the piston comes up against the stop, mark the balancer then you reverse the engine until it stops again and mark the balancer at that spot. Half way between those two marks should be true TDC. Make sure you are on the compression stroke before doing this and go easy when you are getting close to the top of the stroke. You don't want to hit the stop hard.

 

[cwhubb]

LMAO, just the handle, it wasnt the picnic kind I sawed off the handle on my wifes good nylon cooking spoon, it's round handled and fits perfectly in the plug hole. (btw dont do this unless you like eating out of cans)

 

[cwhubb]

Uncles girlfriend is a blow up doll!

 

[coloradodave]

Gotta admit, Rusty, this is funny..........a little sarcastic, but REALLY funny......lol

 

[tpodwdog]

Now why would anybody wanna do anything that makes such perfect sense when they can ask joe blow down the street with his chebbies, then go online and ask a bajillion other people on other forums, then ask their brother's best friends uncles girlfriend and lastly call in a voodoo witch doctor? Plastic spoon. Now I have indeed heard it all.

^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
my god,,,,you remind me so much of myself Rat...its damn near frightening. ! THATS FUNNY RIGHT THERE

 

[cwhubb]

Good chuckle, now back to the subject...

 

[RustyRatRod]

You DO know there is a kit to take the place of the spoon, right? It's cheap too.

 

[Sixer]

Little trick I used assumes the drive gear is installed and correct. Works especially well when you've removed the distributor for whatever reason and, like dumb **** me, didn't note rotor position when ya took it out. With the dizzy out, turn motor to TDC mark on balancer, and note the lifter position on #1 hole, as they are easily visible through the distributor hole. At true TDC, of course, both will be bottomed out-easy to tell. Install diz to fire at #1 and you're good to go.

 

[cwhubb]

Sixer, thats a clever idea, quick and simple. I'll put that one in the rollo dex.
Thank You!

 

[cwhubb]

@ rusty Rat they make a kit? how much

 

[cwhubb]

@ Sixer I used your technique to verify my dead time, and I was right on the mark. guess my old spoon worked LOL. I'm gonna use your cool trick from now on.
Many Thanks

 

[Sixer]

@ rusty Rat they make a kit? how much

From Craftsman

Snap-On

And of course, there's always Harbor Freight.....

 

[RustyRatRod]

Yall aint right. lol

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/DCC-5153446/

 

[cwhubb]

Lmfao