finding TDC #1 on a 258 (the hard way)

Hurley

Hurley

WTFab
Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Location
Statesville
I've got a 258 that I've been working on; did a new timing set & oil pump, and am about to swap in a new distributor. The problem lies in that I've had the old distributor out for a while and have been spinning the motor and oil pump to keep it lubed nicely while it's on the engine stand.

Now I've got the engine back in the car, all buttoned up save for the distributor. (not too smart) What's the best way to find TDC #1 compression without removing the timing cover/header/intake/valvecover - or is it easily done at all without removing those parts?

I've read about dowels/screwdrivers/etc. in the spark plug hole, but that seems to introduce enough error in the whole deal that I might accidentally install the distributor a tooth or so in the wrong direction.


Any advice or tricks?
 
I'm no expert, but this is how I would do it.

- Remove spark plugs
- Remove valve cover
- Rotate engine over by hand until number one cylinder is at top using screwdriver or whatever to feel piston height, and make sure valves are closed
 
put a compression tester on it and rotate engine.

i just put my finger on the cylinder and when i feel compression look in the cylinder and watch the piston and make sure it's at the top.(if your afraid of the screwdriver)
also look at the timing marks on the harmonic balancer.
 
X2 on the timing mark.
remove spark plugs
place finger on #1 plug hole
turn engine with socket on front crank bolt
you will feel compression trying to push your finger off
this will happen as the piston reaches tdc
watch the timing mark and stop at 0
(the timing mark will come up twice but only one
time will be compression)
take cap off dist and turn the rotor to the # 1 plug wire
install dist--you may have to rotate the crank a little
to line up the oil pump shaft.
after instalation the rotor should be pointing to #1
plug wire on the cap and the timing mark should
be at 0.
if it's not repete the process.
install plugs cap and wires
set timing
good to go.
not that hard at all.


dawg
 
timing marks are clear, so I'm good to go here. I figured I would ask before I just go and do it (always a chance for error when it's your first time doing something)

Thanks guys
 
For what it is worth... Knock the old broken in distributor gear off and reuse it on the new unit. Been a lot of complaints of new gear failures with the new style motor oil.
 
Ya'll make this way too difficult???

Locate TDC markings on damper and mark. Pull #1 plug. Put finger over sp hole. Bump starter til air pushes past your finger. Turn crank by hand until TDC marks line up. The compression stroke pushes air on #1 until it reaches TDC and then the engine cycle starts over.

I can put any Ford with a wall mounted starter scelenoid on TDC in about 30 seconds by manually bumping the starter scelenoid with a wire in one hand with finger of other hand on plug hole.
 
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