[sexypizzaman]

Hey guys got a question here. On my 383sbc I am unable to accurately time it because the harmonic balancer and timing tab arent a matched pair so the line on the balancer is about 180 degress away from the timing tab when the light flashes. I want to make my own indication on the harmonic balancer with this timing tape I bought and to do so I need to find TDC on a cylinder. I have heard about this tool called a "piston stop tool" that threads into the spark plug hole and can determine when the piston is at the top of its travel. I have straight plug heads so I don't see how this tool could possibly work. It is really the only sure way to find TDC in my cylinder so I can place on my timing tape. Does anybody know if this tool works for straight plug cylinder heads?? Thanks in advance.

Keith

[burnt olds]

my tries with it didn't work , but my pistons where dished type replacements .
i took a spark plug and removed the core , tapped it , and took a all thread bolt and screwed on a jam nut first , then screwed it in plug main body .
get your piston say close to top , screw in bolt till it hits piston and then tighten the jam nut .

[techinspector1]

I've done the same thing. As I remember I tapped the plug 3/8-16.

Here's the skinny on doin' it from start to finish.....
http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w...op_dead_center

For those interested in a "store bought" unit, this is probably the best one to use. It has a hole drilled through the middle of it to relieve cylinder pressure and vacuum as you rotate the crank....
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

[DoubleVision]

why not just buy a proform harmonic balancer cover? it bolts in place and matches to the keyway position. Since it can`t spin like the outer ring of a balancer due to being bolted to the center hub, as long as your running a standard timing tab at the 2 o`clock position you`ll be right where you need to be. these cost about 24 bucks. mr. gasket makes a chrome timing time for 6, 7 and 8 inch balancers.

[C-10]

A word of caution on the piston stops that thread into the spark plug hole.

Some cylinder heads, especially AFR, have the plug pointing right at the exhaust valve and PARALLEL to the piston face. Bad news. Been there.

I highly wouldn't recommend it.