Finding Top Dead Center

Engine Power co-host, Pat Topolinski, goes over finding top dead center. It happens on anything that uses a distributor to light the fire. Because the crankshaft spins twice as fast as the Camshaft, TDC on the balancer will occur in two different places: one on a compression stroke and the other on the split overlap. Pat explains the process in detail.
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[@jamespn]

That’s the best explanation of timing being 180 degrees out that I’ve seen. I didn’t realize that both valves would be open on cylinder number 1 when timing was 180 degrees out. I also like where you pointed out that even though the distributor gear was in the proper position with the cam gear, you can still rotate (bump) the distributor until the distributor drive engages.

[@pd2865]

FANTASTIC VIDEO. Simple to the point. And also a great way of indexing the distributor/oil pump shaft, which to me is the biggest pain to drop in. Rarely have I ever been lucky enough for that to line up and drop into place first time.

[@fleetwood7888]

Pat is THE BEST 👌.

[@alanp8724]

thanks for the video for me the part at 1:36 was super helpful for me ensuring I was on the compression stroke. thanks

[@FireItUpGarage]

Nice video. Very clear.

[@alonsovelarde8587]

very useful video, thankyou

[@ponceesponce100]

great work.thanks

[@metalmaniaxx]

Will this work for a non distributor system? I have a Ford 4.2l v6.it uses a camshaft synchroniser and sensor..

[@dickeymoore4264]

Why not 0 to 0 on balancer and pointer and drop distributor in so that the rotor button is pointed at number 1 cylinder?

[@prawnstar9213]

Because the distributer could be 180 if they put it on the exhaust stroke.

[@bluefallon6374]

Can you explain how to find TDC on a 3 cylinder diesel, that has no marks on the pulley.

[@johng8888]

So if mine calls for 5 degrees btdc , do I set it a 5 then drop the distributor in? Or set a 0 then set timing?

[@patriotkennethburlingham7059]

Awesome!!!!

[@zachtaylor7397]

Why set to 30* and not 0*

[@jesuslucero4034]

I'm working on a 1974 Ford F100 302 engine. Im having problems with it not going past 35mph. i have done a vacuum test & timing as well. but still won't go past 35mph

[@FireItUpGarage]

Because it runs bad or the engine runs good but something is limiting it?

[@davidgonzalez1601]

I have a 350 snd I took the number 1 plug Snd turned the engine till it blew air out and the valves both were closed then kept turning the balancer till it hit zero and installed the distributor to point at 1 but still no start .what am I doing wrong

[@litonino6222]

Hey did you ever figure out what was wrong I’m running into the same problem now ?

[@shirleywilliams5124]

My Haynes book says dont turn the crankshaft without distributor in. 1987 5.7 liter chevy g20v. Can I just turn crank the engine with the bar and it will seat in automatically?

[@ryandzen]

Yes by hand

[@Vcoldduck]

Lets see how you do a Jeep Cherokee XJ 4.0 with a set distributor

[@ablancas6976]

Hi my name is Alex I have an 89 Ford Mustang Fox body we put a 349 crate it's boarded it's performance how can I get it on right timing help

[@frankdavidson9675]

check crank case pully or balenser fo tdc mark this put on at the factory every eng should have tdc on somthing if its off very much it will not start if starts you are close you need a timming light to see exactly where it firing you do not leave it at tdc most eng run better a few deg before tdc i set up on 4 deg before tdc that desides when it fires the rotor deside where it fires (which plug) the points go open at TDC that starts current flow in coil thru condenser causing coil to generate high voltage spark all this happens very fast,(LOL)

[@thorn-]

So... Click-start Click-start Click-start...feel finger presser? Seems like there's a step or several missing.

[@alonsovelarde8587]

why is he installing dizzy at 30 degrees?

[@SirHC888]

Ok set it 180 off and let’s see the flames.

[@MatLon28]

What do you mean by setting to number 1 on distributor?

[@DanKirchner5150]

#1 piston

[@germdoesit3795]

The distributor facing number one

[@frankdavidson9675]

you need a fireing order for your eng to see where each plug wire goes its like clock #6 wire is in 1 oclock spot lift top off dist rotor will be pointing at 1 oclock position if you eng will start and idle you real close you can loosen the bolt that holds dist down if you have deg marks all you need to conn timing light to #6 hold it over crankcase pully see where its flashing mine calls for 4 deg before tdc you slowly rotate dist while watching flash stop rotation on #4 tightion dist bolt

[@hueroski]

why 30 as apposed to say 12 degrees?

[@bentleycoupe7969]

His timing marks are set on degrees 10 degrees = 4 30 degrees = 12

[@sierraridgereaper]

@@bentleycoupe7969 wtf... lol.. 30 degrees btdc is 30 degrees btdc...

[@xraaurusreal97]

@@bentleycoupe7969 lmao WAdafuq, ok why 30° btdc as opposed to 0°tdc?¿

[@dblack1999]

??

[@danielfernandez5109]

Wow

[@eatonbush3752]

Dude!! Can I borrow a pen?

[@prawnstar9213]

2 ups for a 4 stroke

[@chomper4x4]

43 years working on cars all my life never heard of "split overlap", is that one of the 57 genders ?

[@SLJ2137694]

Only heard it called Overlap for the last55 years of my life.

[@frankdavidson9675]

im 88 started tinkering eng at 10 yrs old 5 horse outboard never run into overlap ?????????

[@byteme9718]

What a terrible video. At no point does it show how to verify actual TDC. The title should have been "How to Fit a Distributor".

[@Stang69_Coup]

Ya if your balancer is correct lol

[@prawnstar9213]

This was too quick for me

[@packingten]

BOYS&girls ever used a kleenex/paper towel?, take a piece of paper towel put in #1 plug hole(b carful) Crank engine compression will blow piece of towel out of plug bore,line up timing mark tdc to pointer SBC dist rotates clockwise 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2, most sbc the #1 is around11/12 o clock on cap...pls ck. Hope this helps.

[@eriksoul7664]

Lektrik caws goon put holelotta peepols outa jobs

[@chillinwtheenemy]

Dude English please.