Finding TDC

[ksurfer2]

So this should be easy enough, but I'm struggling with this. motor is a 440, stroked to 512, Edelbrock Victor heads. I removed most of the spark plugs (except for 4 and 6, but that is a topic for another conversation!) this made the engine easy to turn over by hand. I have one of the whistle tools that fits into the number 1 spark plug hole. I know when I am approaching TDC when the whistling starts and the distributor is approaching #1. At this point, I pulled out the whistle and screwed in one of the TDC locater tools. No matter how far in I screwed to rod, the piston would not stop on it. Even with the piston close to TDC (gauged by the whistle) I could not feel the piston with the screw driver through the spark plug hole. Is the spark plug at an angle that doesn't allow the use of the TDC tool? If so, what is the best way to located TDC???

 

[MoparLeo]

Can you show us a picture of your engine and the tools ?

 

[Dibbons]

The other day I was adjusting valves on a Mopar small block and toward the end of the task when I went to adjust lash on intake on #7, I could not get any lash on it. Finally, I figured out I was on the wrong side of the engine on cylinder #8, which was trying to open the valve!

And I know Fords place their #1 cylinder on the passenger side, opposite Mopars where it is on the driver's side (see foto and try not to cringe).

 

[33 IMP]

Seems to me you are doing it right. Big dish in the piston? You might need a longer piston stop.

 

[ksurfer2]

 

[ksurfer2]

Above are the whistle and the piston stop I am using. At full extension, the piston does not contact the stop.

 

[ksurfer2]

 

[ksurfer2]

Best pic of engine that I have handy.

 

[33 IMP]

Longer bolt. I made mine out of aluminum, and rounded off the nose that contacts the piston. Locking nut on the outside.

 

[ksurfer2]

This piston stop at full extension. 1.5 inches into the hole.

 

[SMCARNUT-1]

Screw it all the way in and rotate the motor slowly you should feel it make contact.

 

[33 IMP]

The sparkplug angle on a victor is higher, and on a slant, and if you have dished pistons to get reasonable street compression ratio, the normal length bolt might not be enough. You might have to go all the way across the chamber. Get a longer bolt for your piston stop.

 

[ksurfer2]

Thanks. I will try that tomorrow.

 

[1967coronet]

Take the valve cover off and watch your rockers. or put a piece of wire in the plug hole and watch it come up near level
{ put a loop on the end so it wont slip inside }

 

[Zeppelin264]

Take the valve cover off and watch your rockers. or put a piece of wire in the plug hole and watch it come up near level
{ put a loop on the end so it wont slip inside }

This^

Watch the rockers and wait for the valves to be closed on base circle. Then look at your balancer and line the mark up. This is TDC on #1. If the piston is in the hole at all, the piston stop may not work.

 

[BeepBeepRR]

All you need to do is roll it around till you hear the whistle. Then rotate the crankshaft clockwise until you are on your 0 mark. There is your TDC. I think you are way over thinking here.

 

[coloradodave]

The whistle tool will work. The tool whistles as it approaches TDC. Go slow; at the point the whistle stops, you are at TDC... Does your timing mark on the tab line up with the '0' mark on the balancer?

 

[33 IMP]

I assumed he was trying to CONFIRM tdc. Anybody can line up the marks.
Last time I confirmed mine (with the heads off, using a piston stop) the factory balancer mark was 6° retarded. What I thought was 38° total was actually 32°.

 

[sloinker]

The other day I was adjusting valves on a Mopar small block and toward the end of the task when I went to adjust lash on intake on #7, I could not get any lash on it. Finally, I figured out I was on the wrong side of the engine on cylinder #8, which was trying to open the valve!

And I know Fords place their #1 cylinder on the passenger side, opposite Mopars where it is on the driver's side (see foto and try not to cringe).

View attachment 997072

AFAIK all '62 to '74 Chrysler V8 motors are passenger side 2,4,6,8 and drivers side 1,3,5,7 front to back, small,B and RB. If I've been wrong all these years I am gonna cry myself to sleep tonight.

For the OP, I use a plastic drinking straw or borescope to do what you want.

 

[toolmanmike]

I use a remote starter switch and my finger.