[zephyrc]

i need to check that my timing pointer on the timing cover is correct.. how can i verify the sbc engine is at tdc without taking the heads etc off.the engine is in the vehicle and runs ok, but i have an adjustable timing pointer that i need to check..

[ernkazern]

Make or buy a piston stop. Pull out all of the spark plugs and install the piston stop in the #1 cylinder. Turn the engine over by hand until the engine won't turn any further. Mark where your timing pointer is on the damper. Turn the engine over again in the opposite direction until it stops. Mark where the pointer is on the damper this time. TDC for cylinder #1 should be exactly in the middle of the 2 marks. If I'm wrong I'm sure I'll be corrected shortly.........lol.

[C-10]

Originally Posted by ernkazern

If I'm wrong I'm sure I'll be corrected shortly.........lol.

Ha, good one.

I had a bad experience with a piston stop through a spark plug hole. The heads were the AFR SBC 220 angle plug type. Seems like they relocate the plug pointing more parallel with the deck surface AND toward the exhaust valve. This allowed the piston to BEND the stop easily and BEND an exhaust valve. ouch. It's not like I was being a gorilla when cranking the engine over either.

To add insult to injury, when removing the now bent stop, it boogered up the threads in the spark plug hole.

Not a good day.

Just some words of caution...

[454C10]

You need to pull all the plugs so the engine spins very easily. Put the piston stop in plug #1. Put a socket wrench on the crank and spin the motor slowly, and when you feel just the slightest resistance, stop and mark the balancer at 0 on the timing mark. then spin the motor in the opposite direction. Again, stop at the slightest resistance and mark the balancer at 0. true TDC is in between the two marks.

[biggeazy-e]

Originally Posted by ernkazern

Make or buy a piston stop. Pull out all of the spark plugs and install the piston stop in the #1 cylinder. Turn the engine over by hand until the engine won't turn any further. Mark where your timing pointer is on the damper. Turn the engine over again in the opposite direction until it stops. Mark where the pointer is on the damper this time. TDC for cylinder #1 should be exactly in the middle of the 2 marks. If I'm wrong I'm sure I'll be corrected shortly.........lol.

Be sure to loosen cyl #1 rocker arms and let all of the tension off them....