TDC on my small block is not at cylinder 1!!!

[buddy84GMC]

Another thing you should verify is TDC on your balancer is actually TDC. The outer part of the damper can spin on the elastomer.

Almost like it wore out or deteriorated.  Whats the best way to check it? 

[VileZambonie]

pull #1 spark plug and verify the piston is all the way up

[Leevon]

Another thing you should verify is TDC on your balancer is actually TDC. The outer part of the damper can spin on the elastomer.

Almost like it wore out or deteriorated.  Whats the best way to check it? 

Yep, I found out after much frustration that a "new" engine was about 6 degrees off.  Sure fire way to make everything right is to remove the valve cover, find TDC by making sure #1 cylinder is at the bottom of the compresssion stroke (exhaust valve closed), line distributer up with #1 then check or remark timing on damper.   

[choptop]

Quote from Leevon
 "find TDC by making sure #1 cylinder is at the bottom of the compresssion stroke (exhaust valve closed), line distributer up with #1 then check or remark timing on damper. " 
[/quote]




I believe the piston needs to be at the top of the compression stroke, with the exhaust valve closed. I.E. Top Dead Center Compression (TDCC

[buddy84GMC]

Thank you guys.  I need to know which rocker arm to watch on cylinder 1 when I pull the valve cover.  There is info online, but I never believe it till I hear it from a real person.  I need to spin the engine to get TDCC stoke.  I know thats when the exhaust valve is shut, but wanted to know which valve on cylinder 1 that is?  The one closest to the front of the engine or the second one.  I may be able to see the smaller diameter rod for the exhaust but have not had the covers off in a while and cannot remember if its easy to see or not.  Thanks

[buddy84GMC]

Found my old photos from getting the heads rebuilt and the exhaust port is on the outside on both ends so that was easy even if the photo was upside down.  Hope I can get this truck running.

[choptop]

Make sure both valves are closed on number one to help verify tdcc #1

[buddy84GMC]

Make sure both valves are closed on number one to help verify tdcc #1

Just to verify, both are closed when the valve springs are compressed (for cylinder 1)?  I am 99% sure on that since I know how the engine works, but I am no pro mechanic; just need to make sure.  Thanks a lot. 

[choptop]

Neither valve spring should be compressed. The end of the rocker that hits the valve, should be at the highest point of its travel.

[77 step]

It is much easier to pull the plug on cylinder 1 and cover the hole with your thumb.  When the engine is rotated (by hand), you will feel and hear the air being forced out past your thumb.  Then slowly rotate the engine until the cylinder is at the top.

I guess if you want to watch the rockers, that's ok.  Just seems like a lot of extra work to me.

[VileZambonie]

yep, and just look in the spark plug hole. You'll be able to see the piston at TDC

[buddy84GMC]

It is much easier to pull the plug on cylinder 1 and cover the hole with your thumb.  When the engine is rotated (by hand), you will feel and hear the air being forced out past your thumb.  Then slowly rotate the engine until the cylinder is at the top.

I guess if you want to watch the rockers, that's ok.  Just seems like a lot of extra work to me.

Thanks a lot.  I know that works, but I am usually alone when working on this truck and turning the engine by hand and putting my finger over the spark plug hole is almost impossible on my truck!  I do not want to take that cover off if I do not have to, but might if I do not get any help.  My buddy is as busy as I am these days.  Thanks again for all the help.  Hopefully I can get to the truck within the next day or 2.  If anything goes wrong after all this...I'll be back on here asking away!  Dang rookies huh?! 

[baddogg79]

ok, an easy way I found, and im sure alot do it this way. Put a rachet on the damper bolt (i think its either 5/8 or 3/4) have all the plugs out since its easier to start from scratch. Rotate the engine with the ratchet till you feel and hear air com out of the #1 cylinder. I had no problem with mine with room. Hope this helps

[HAULIN IT]

If you routinely can't have a friend helping, Take an old sparkplug & break out the porcelain, get a round whistle & epoxy,glue, what have you, it into the base of the plug. When it stops whistling, look at the timing tab, your wanting to stop soon. As I mentioned in previous posts, I like to set the balancer on 8-10 BFTC & put the rotor on a line drawn on the distributor base in line with the #1 post. I feel this makes it easier to fire, then reach for the timing light & fine tune from there. To each his own. No real reason to take the valve cover off, it's just extra work, not that it's that hard to do, just not necessary for what you need to accomplish.   Hope this helps, Lorne     

[buddy84GMC]

The dang thing was 180 degrees off so I fixed that reinstalling the dist. correctly.  The new pick up coil is in and the old was badly deteriorated.  The tape that holds the pick up wires was completely dried out and flaked off when I look at it crocked!  Tested the old one and no reading either.  Everything else looked great like the bearing and gear so I put it back in and ran out of time to give it a start and do the timing.  All and all, the ESC was bypassed, new pick up, and corrected the distributor.  heck of a project for a guy who had never done this before...but now I have and thanks for all the help!  I make body parts from scratch pretty well, but when it comes to mechanics..I need help every now and again, but I always do it myself with help from people like you and friends of my fathers who have a lot of experience.  I will post and success and if it still does not run...there will be a new post with this smiley all over it