finding top dead center .

this is to help out TheRickfix on using his chrome timing cover.
This is how I go about locating TDC .

[@JackTheFox]

I think i've watched like 6 overcomplicated videos until i found yours now. Simple explained, easy, and understandable. Thank you very much for making this !

[@citizenken1207]

Good explanation. It took a while to get to the point but I get it now. My 5.7 1995 Chevy doesn't have a timing mark on the harmonic balancer and there is no timing indicator gauge as well so I will be putting one on similar to your friend wanting his not part of the timing chain cover. I guess I will do the finger in number one spark plug hole (or vacuum tester) as I am not removing the head to determine the power stroke and then apply your method to fine tune the TDC mark to make on the balancer. Thanks! Now to see if I can just tap some bolt threads in my compression spark plug adapter first or use your hollowed out spark plug method. Good job.

[@Cheator40]

Great trick. Going in to my favorites so I can remember that. Thanks brother.

[@josephplatter9033]

Hey bud, we need more people like you in tbe world. Thumbs up brother.

[@Tanoble69]

Outstanding video Matt - never heard or saw it explainned any better.

[@chevahaulic]

thank you Tom .

[@Husabusaren]

Awesome. I love simple Solutions! Thank you!

[@TheRickfix]

thank u so much matt,a very good job explaining this,does look easy,i got the same dampener so ill beable to punch it out,just painted it black today so its ready for the new mark,lol,makes me feel better that i can use the chrome cover,realy apprechiate u taking the time to make this video,thankx again,tc

[@chevahaulic]

No problem at all Rick . Hope this helps you out :)

[@sharonthrash9323]

Best Video Out There On How To Find TDC Thank U So Much My Truck Is All Fixed!!!!

[@butch7384]

Absolutely brilliant.

[@62mrob]

Great Tutorial, The closer you get the engine to TDC the less distance your marks will be apart , I use digital calipers when i want to find my timing marks this way

[@chevahaulic]

+MICHAEL ROBERTSON yes , very true

[@TTOCS11]

Very clear and simple, good one Matt

[@chevahaulic]

thank you Scott :)

[@vettepurist304]

Finally a decent video on how that technique works

[@ph7715]

I appreciate you simplifying it

[@jonathanclark6489]

Great Info; Thanks!

[@snocrushr]

Really good video ... with great info.

[@chevahaulic]

thank you

[@samallenallen7097]

Sam

[@JOEZEP54]

Great tip. Thanks!

[@chevahaulic]

JOE Z no problem

[@marksponge9852]

Simple and easy to follow...Good video!

[@chevahaulic]

see , I should of been a teacher !! lol well , maybe not :)

[@marksponge9852]

Hey I'm learning..

[@SilentOneCorajuda13]

Well done man. Better than Summit Racings TDC tutorial. You said it thoroughly.

[@chevahaulic]

thank you Man !

[@SilentOneCorajuda13]

Yezzir.

[@harleyironhead7090]

Nice tip and a great video

[@chevahaulic]

thank you

[@leegathers6845]

Good simple method. Thanks!

[@bridchvtruck568]

nice how to Matt you learn somthing new here every day.....just wish i could remember it all see ya :-)

[@chevahaulic]

Thanks Bruce . I know what you mean , getting old sucks :)

[@stonefurball1]

Great info Matt.

[@chevahaulic]

thank you Bill .

[@jojbernard]

how many inches from the tip of the stop tool piston to the piston, when the pistonn reach to the top of the cylinder?

[@yazming1720]

You stated that with a dial back timing light you could find true TDC. Could you please make a video on that procedure? Thanks Yazmin...Venice Beach🏄

[@kerryrogers5146]

You are a TRUE MECHANIC!!!

[@scottwest1813]

Great job!

[@jimengleman5844]

Great Vid !

[@MrLuckytrucker21]

I use an old compression tester hose with a balloon zip tied on to find the top dead center, works great!

[@robertclymer6948]

I have done that too, works great.

[@wwboydsr]

Excellent video thanks

[@x-man5056]

To be clear, that's TDC for that timing marker. If you are going to use a non-stock timing cover/marker, chrome or otherwise, you would use this process with the cover/marker you are going to use. I've built several SBC's in my time and never saw a timing cover with the marker center top like that one. How in the heck would you even see it with the water pump and pulley installed?

[@frankdavidson9675]

mark the pully so you can see it

[@x-man5056]

@@frankdavidson9675 very true. if you ever have a balancer off, paint it black or at least the timing mark area then use liquid white out or equivalent to make the mark to get good contrast. They are often buried down there on most cars, make easy to see.

[@MrHevyshevy]

I've been messing with that old small block I've had for twenty years. I must have set the timing by ear in the old days. My marks don't line up at all. Chrome cover.

[@chevahaulic]

I can never seem to get the right combo of timing tabs to dampners . So I'm always remarking them it seems. But I didn't make that tool until just a few years ago . One of the kids hanging around the shop was building a mud truck . Couldn't get it timed at all. So I came up with this , after that truck , bet I did 7 more ... lol But I normaly will make it before the head goes on . or with the degree wheel if I'm really in the mood .

[@ndebt4kidz]

Awesome tip.

[@chevahaulic]

no problem :)

[@Fullthrottle440Garage]

great info

[@chevahaulic]

thank you

[@AR3n3gad3]

Simple! Thank You!

[@ja.935g67]

Maybe fill that other mark in with a black sharpie? Thanks great video! Now could you help me time an engine with a striped crankshaft bolt! Thank you!

[@maurotalamantes8288]

Great vodeo mann i finally understood!!!

[@RodderFiles]

sweet info

[@chevahaulic]

thanks Kenny

[@michaelsharkey2602]

God do you know if your at top dead center on compression as opposed to top dead center on the exhaust stroke. As there was nothing said about the valves being looked at for opening/closed ? Did I miss something?

[@jimengleman5844]

I'm missing something here. After all this is done, what is the distributor set to? The very last center-line mark?

[@kevinmaynard5070]

What caused the original issue of the mark mis aligning. Did the outer sleeve of harmonic balancer slip?

[@maximuswedgie5149]

Great video! I had maybe a stupid question, I’m new to this and was wondering if you were on the compression stroke or if that matters with TDC. I have to drop a distributor in and am researching how to do this, thanks

[@chevahaulic]

To find TDC compression, watch your valves

[@scottsinfl]

As always a great and easy tip

[@chevahaulic]

Thanks Scott

[@yourmomsuncle2953]

1:22 “ and i’ll show you what the signifhagatej is “ 😂

[@dieselburner4461]

yourmomsuncle 💀💀💀💀💀

[@jimhamilton5685]

After you find the True TDC center mark, the distributor goes in pointing at #1? PS, I ask because I just bought a new distributor, dampner & timing chain from Summit Racing is why.

[@kausarraza4118]

Kindly tell me what is the ignition timing nomber of celerio?

[@scrappyclappedoutfoxbody4174]

Only thing is it will still be off, you have slack in the timing chain and gears so when you spin backwards unloading tension off the chain you will be off a few degrees... only precise way is dial indicator on the middle of the piston and drop it few thousandths off the stroke in the same direction.

[@fire67bird]

My favorite way to find TDC is to drill a small hole through a spark plug and attach a vacuum gauge to it. Then you just turn over the engine until you see the transition from pressure to vacuum. Then I back it off a little and slowly rotate again until it no longer makes pressure on the gauge. This ensures that you are on the compression stroke.

[@chevahaulic]

fire67bird i just use my thumb . But that'll work too .

[@uncletim6]

***** that or composition paper

[@rpeek]

Good stuff..

[@chevahaulic]

rpeek thank you

[@meatyklaws8774]

Thankth for the video thir!!

[@philsouthus1]

nice video, thanks

[@chevahaulic]

+philsouthus1 no problem

[@19NUTZ66]

good stuff right there... thanks

[@chevahaulic]

thanks Todd

[@kevinmaynard5070]

If I put on a new harmonic balancer and the mark was mis aligned wouldn’t that indicate another issue?

[@TheShadeTreeFixitMan]

Good tip Matt. I am sure that this will be a help to RickFix.

[@chevahaulic]

thank you George

[@charlie4339]

The first mark you made was that top compression stroke?

[@michaellewis9417]

thank you

[@curtisbrown6267]

Great video! I'm trying to find my TDC with heads off and distributor removed. can you help me determine it? i know that cylinder #1 & #6 are up but not to the rim of the block

[@selina1964]

So does piston need to be all the way to top lip? Are down 1/4 inch

[@madanmohan6574]

Hi, I have a 4 cylinder car first I rotated the wheel clockwise when the piston was on the top I marked on the balancing wheel then I rotated it anti clockwise till the piston was in top position. The wheel came onto the same point where I had marked . Any explanation to this?

[@anthonyescobar6437]

So after you find the center point between your to marks do you then rotate the engine again and line up that center point with the pointer you used and now the engine is at TDC? Or is the engine already at TDC and you adjust the pointer over to your center mark?

[@faust310]

Good question & because I have to do this on my Ranger like now this is what I want to know. The video seems incomplete at the end about what to do with the marks now that they are there. I would imagine crank until it lines up at the zero on the compression stroke & should be good but would like to know for sure too.

[@86caliente_18]

sweet vid. it wouldve been great to see the piston @ the true TDC mark with the head off, after all the measurements.

[@robertclymer6948]

Exactly. I don't like piston stops, to many easier ways.

[@Alex7889.]

Does it mater where the rockers on cylinder 1 are positioned to find TDC? Hope someone can help.....

[@johnbaxter85]

Great video, going to give this a try. Hard thing to get your head around when it does not matter if on the compression stroke or when piston contacts the stop?

[@TRAXRIPPER]

It does not matter what stroke it's on when making the mark for a zero point.... why would it? Nor does it matter where the piston comes in contact.... again why would it? The stroke is 360 degrees everytime, no matter what stroke and as long as you make the contact point from clockwise and counter clockwise it could be at the dead bottom at 180 degrees! No matter what when you take both those points and divide them in half that mark will be the zero point no matter what anyone thinks it should be. It's gonna be and that is a mathamatical FACT! Circumference Radius and diameter all fall under the 360 degrees of laws. You are thinking about the piston and not what is being shown! Setting the zero mark for TDC The compression stroke matters when setting the ignition timing. You are on step 35 and this is STEP 1 ON THE NUMBER 1 PISTON SETTING THE DEGREE THAT COMES BEFORE EVEN STEP 1! THE ZERO MARK! 0 DEGREES And no matter what stroke it's on its 360 degrees around every time! The one time that changes will be the last time around as you hear everything blow through the block and smack your feet from under the floor pan as you leave behind what used to be your engine as you coast to an expensive stop to wait for a tow truck! Lol You are complicating the thoughts with steps way beyond the point of what he is doing and showing. You are not wrong at all about what you are saying it's just you are applying it before a timing mark has even been set! SO that is what is he is showing! How to set a mark and you can not go wrong! Actually that math is the FOUNDATION OF BLUEPRINTING WHEN BUILDING ALL ROUND VESSELS SO I KNOW THAT MATH WILL WORK FOR A RACING ENGINE AS WELL BECAUSE WE CAN PROVE AND MAP OUT EXACTLY WHERE THE PISTON SHOULD BE IN THE STROKE ALL 360 DEGREES AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHERE IT WILL BE AND I CHALLENGE ANYONE TO GO PROVE ME WRONG TO THEMSELVES! AND IN ADVANCE I WILL SAY.... I TOLD YOU SO! YOU ARE WELCOME!

[@johnbaxter85]

@@TRAXRIPPER Mate, you need to get some chill pills? what the hell is wrong with you?

[@nicolewhite5377]

hello how do you know we're to tighten down tdc tool to hit piston

[@KevinORoss]

you dont you set it somewhere random take your two measurements no matter how far apart they where if you divide them you should get your true top dead center mark is what hes saying

[@davidcowton1070]

To find out how far to put the rod into the cylinder, turn engine til compression felt put a rod ie screwdriver into the plug hole and turn motor til screwdriver nearly out, turn motor back slightly and screw piston stop in til it just touches the piston, back it off a couple of turns then SLOWLY bring the piston up to meet it this will eliminate any backlash. Hope this helps, takes longer to write than to do. Dave UK

[@copperjacket00]

cool

[@startrekking359]

My problem is I have my pointers on the top side of timing cover and balancer mark is to the right as facing the motor not showing up with light can you give me a measurement from notch from balancer new timing mark you made I'll give it a try.

[@gustavette8487]

Great video. Do you have to be on the compression stoke before inserting the piston stop?

[@wakjob961]

Nope...make no difference. The rotating assembly will stop once in each direction. Tip: take the spark plugs out to make turning it easier.

[@gustavette8487]

@@wakjob961 Great tip... Thanks

[@USMC-Sniper-0137]

A Dremel can cut a hairline mark into it and then take a fine paint brush and lay a line of white, silver, bright red paint, etc. in the groove that can't get bothered on the future.

[@hosseinhayati9820]

Thanks ;)

[@DanielNoest]

I'm using a timing tool that looks quite similar to yours. It allows me to find TDC first and then to set my ignition timing in millimeters before TDC. It allows me to set ignition timings without using crankshaft markings at all. I might make a video on it?

[@chevahaulic]

that sounds cool Daniel !

[@DanielNoest]

***** I'll try to upload a vid next weekend. Got to work on my bike anyway.

[@joseburgos5106]

Thanks for the knowledge sharing. I only got a question, why are we doing this, was it a change on a part that changed the original mark on the balancer? Put it in a different wording, why the balancing mark didn't match the timing to begin? I am curious as I have a 99 Suburban that some people say it could be a timing chain jumped a teeth... Thanks in advance, Jose

[@charlesriportella5453]

I’m wondering the same thing

[@wtbm123]

C00L, Could always paint the old mark black to help future confusion. Good video.

[@chevahaulic]

lol , I've done that to myself already .... :)

[@georgesantiago6005]

But how set the timing degree? With no plate.

[@zachfox5969]

Could probably use a spark plug anti-fouler instead of the plug. Nice and clean, 5$ to save the time. Later, you still have an O2 bung or its original application at least. Great video though.

[@wakjob961]

I used one of those "anti-fouler" plug extenders to make my piston stop...worked great!

[@zachfox5969]

@@wakjob961 yeah they work for o2 sensors too. Drill out the pipe and you might have to drill the anti fouler. Make a doughnut around the threads with High Heat JB Weld, then crank it down tight. 3 years now and no problems.

[@ponceesponce100]

great inf.

[@kyzep7069]

well done better than most videos I've seen

[@edsyphan3425]

A dumb question,but why is it off to begin with?

[@medicineman1202]

Do you have to be on the compression stroke before you place the piston stop tool?

[@frankdavidson9675]

yes

[@frankdavidson9675]

i have a 6 cly dodge i time at 4 degs tdc i use # 6 by the book it runs fine

[@johnkosheluk1041]

I am working on a chevy 350 4 a frend and he got.the engine long block we put a crome v cover on it came with a marker is it wright

[@joshuabishop2566]

I did this today but used the timing mark on my balancer to make marks and now its running good but when I kill it and try to start it back up its dragging big time

[@chevahaulic]

+joshua bishop thats odd , could be the timing chain or advance in DIST is sticking

[@theedrinkeninjapan]

Very helpfull, my new balancer was also different from the original. My new balancer looks the same as yours, but when i install the waterpump on top of it, it blocks view of the timing mark.. What to do?

[@theedrinkeninjapan]

I ordered a differrent Timing Tab, which will be mounted on the side, i hope it works and it would also align with the timing mark on the new Balancer... fingers crossed

[@impavitus]

Thanks for this video. I never thought of that

[@garyjerniganjr]

ok two questions and these may sound stupid. 1- does it matter how deep the rod is in the cylinder? 2- does it matter what stroke the piston is on?

[@chevahaulic]

for #1 , not really . I try to get it closer to the top of the bore when it hits the stop . But the further down the bore , the wider the two lines will be on the balancer . #2 , no , your just locating TDC of #1 cylinder , not compression on #1 .

[@INTERNA9]

Thanx

[@startrekking359]

That was great very smart how could you tell by sound and running condition if timing is correct anyway

[@strikeforcek9149]

It'll run smooth and like it should, without engine "pinging" happening at higher RPM's. Running rough = timing is off Running smooth = timing is good

[@startrekking359]

@@strikeforcek9149 Thanks it runs really good smooth and Gets it when GO pedal is pushed.

[@braedendaniel6261]

Great video! For anyone about to attempt to make the tool, i tried to break the spark plug porsolin with a screwdriver and hammer, the top broke off pretty easy, but the porsolin in the metal sleeve was really hard to break, i ended up busting out the air hammer and it shaderd it in about 3 seconds, if u have the option go straight for the air hammer and save allllllot of time

[@GJJC13]

I bought one online for less than $10

[@braedendaniel6261]

@@GJJC13 I made one for free

[@GJJC13]

@@braedendaniel6261 Nothing beats FREE!

[@ziggassedup]

Sweet little home made piston stop...I just pull the plug an shove in a screwdriver for a close enough line...and let's face it close enough is good enough for the street...Good vid Matt.

[@chevahaulic]

Thanks Ziggy , yes , for the street . It's more than close enough :)

[@donnellthompson359]

So what if when you set TDC but the rotor on the distributer isnt pointing to cylinder 1? It is instead pointing in between 1 & 8

[@chevahaulic]

Donnell Thompson thats odd . But it will not be dead center of the terminal of the cap . once you set the timing of the dist .

[@tcjohnson3437]

I know this is an old post, and after reading most of the comments, there are a LOT of people who should NEVER touch any engine of any kind.

[@chevahaulic]

i know , scary isn't it ! lol

[@vezina808]

Question. After finding tdc using the piston stop do I need to pull out the distributor and reinstall it again with the rotor facing cylinder #1?

[@johnvickers6280]

This may be dumb but how do you know if it is compression or exhaust Stroke, whether or not you are 180 out on the exhaust stroke please help

[@chevahaulic]

Watching the valves . But for finding the TDC mark on the damper , it don't matter .

[@fred306801]

So the crankshaft rotates one time in doing so the engine goes through the Intake Stroke, Compression Stroke , Power Stroke and Exhaust Stroke. IF I understand this right that must mean that the camshaft rotates 2 times ? kind of a 2 to 1 deal ? I have watched several of these videos and no one has made this clear. Also some have said TDC is on the Exhaust side and others have said the Compression side. Seem's to me IF it were a 180 % out the rotor button would be pointing some where other than the number 1 spark plug.

[@chevahaulic]

***** the crank rotates two times in a 4 cycle engine to make a complete power stroke . TDC of the piston can happen on compression or at valve over lap . TDC on compression stroke of number 1 cylinder would be TDC for setting dist. on most engines .

[@ireneslingerland8400]

*****

[@caddi70]

so if screwing in the rod is a guessing game, how do you know how far to run it in?

[@johnmilner7603]

Remove all the spark plugs then stick your middle finger in #1 plug hole, turn engine clockwise at the balancer center bolt with a socket with a small pipe for leverage or use a breaker bar with a socket until you hear a gush of air go past your finger. Then place a screwdriver in the hole and turn the engine again until the screwdriver comes up as far as it can go up. Keep turning until the screwdriver goes back down about 1/8"-1/4", this is letting the piston go back down a bit. Your doing this extra step with the screwdriver so your two measurements are closer together rather than guessing how far to turn the center bolt in. Now remove the screwdriver, then screw in the stop tool using your fingers to turn the hex of the hollowed out plug finger tight, then turn your center bolt clockwise with your fingers until the bolt stops turning. So now your bolt end is sitting on the top of the piston. Now turn the crank bolt clockwise again to lower the piston a bit then use your jam nut to lock it in place so the center bolt threads don't move. I had you lower the piston just in case the spark plug turned and you don't want to mar the top of the piston. With it locked in place it will be ready the next time you need it for YOUR engine.

[@anthonyescobar6437]

I think I must be doing something wrong. I rotated the balancer clockwise until feeling compression. Screwed the piston stop into #1. Rotated clockwise until piston made contact with stop. Marked at 0 on timing tab. Rotated counter clockwise until piston hit stop again. Problem is first mark passed the 0 on timing tab before I made contact with piston. Roughly a full 1 1/2 revolution. What am I doing wrong? SBC ZZ4 crate motor. I believe the factory 8" balancer was replaced with a 6 3/4" balancer. Not sure if that's what is causing the issue.

[@chevahaulic]

+Anthony Escobar not sure how it could go past 1 1/2 times before hitting the stop

[@philsouthus1]

+chevahaulic...something had to move

[@jperkey7089]

Would have to be the 8" balancer was changed to 6 3/4"!

[@sammycorreia1705]

​@@jperkey7089So if you find top dad's owner, do you still have to adjust your timing

[@sammycorreia1705]

Tdc

[@fred306801]

I am working on a Mazda B2000 made in 1984. A 4 cylinder engine. IF I were to follow your example I should be able to set the valve lash for No. 1, 2 In take No. 1,3 Exhaust. Then I would have to Find No. 4 TDC. I suppose the same way as you shown up how to find No.1 TDC. Except as I said with No. 4. Then set the lash for No. 3,4 In take and No. 2 and 4 Exhaust. Have I got the right idea ?

[@chevahaulic]

***** if you find the TDC for #1 cylinder . #4 is the same . 1 , 4 pistons will be both on top . depending where your valve's ( if #1 is on compression stroke TDC , both rockers will be loose , where as #4 will be tight do to valve over lap on exhaust stroke ) so if you have it at TDC#1 compression . Rotate crank one complete turn , and #4 will be TDC compression . When you find the mark for #1 TDC , knowing 180 degrees from that mark is would be TDC for 2 and 3 . As for lash , not knowing that engine at all . I would adjust valves on TDC compression on each cylinder . unless you know what valves to adjust at crank position . like on a small block with a hydraulic stock cam , TDC #1 you do half the valves , rotate it one turn , do the rest .

[@sugaminga6772]

Would it still work if you put a bolt on tab on the side?

[@chevahaulic]

suga minga yes , it'll work for that as well

[@richardzavala362]

Should the intake valve be up or down for tdc?

[@johnmilner7603]

Both valves will be CLOSED.

[@havingagoodtime6687]

I got my first mark but after I start turning it counter clockwise the bolt just starts to loosen. What do I do?

[@chevahaulic]

tighten the bolt to spec. and if the plugs are out , it should roll backwards . otherwise put a few bolts in the rear and use a screw driver , unless the flywheel is on , then turn that

[@txchevyrida]

I tried this way to find TDC and several times the blow out #1 piston then put my piston stop tool in to move all the way to the top, then put my rotor facing #1 with correct firing order but out of all the tries it kept backfiring/spitting gas out of carb. What could be causing this?

[@chevahaulic]

+txchevyrida you might have other problems if you have it dialed in with a timing light and it still back fires .

[@LAVAROCK100]

your probably 180 out

[@scottmitchellrose1732]

what i can't figure out is- how far in you need to put the piston stop. it seems like barely at all?

[@wakjob961]

Depends on the engine and pistons...I have dished pistons, so I needed it to stick down in the hole about 3/4" to 1"...make it too long, and your two marks will be way far apart and it will be a harder to find the mid point between them. Good luck!

[@scottmitchellrose1732]

Thanks wakjob Mine are flat I found it! Now I need to swap out the front axle with an 85 Disc brakes! Those drums lock up…