Electronic cam gear timing tool

I do not have a toolbox on the front so I use a 1-3/8” socket, extension and ratchet to turn the engine over. Maybe I’m unusual, but I’ve found a particular position that makes it easy for me to push on the pin with my left thumb and turn the ratchet with my right hand. Kinda wrapped around the radiator. I can see that this would be much more difficult if I could not use the ratchet, in that case a gizmo of some sort might be handy. Maybe not essential, but handy.

Speaking of which, has anyone modified their toolbox to allow the use of a ratchet?
 
JayJay said:
I do not have a toolbox on the front so I use a 1-3/8” socket, extension and ratchet to turn the engine over. Maybe I’m unusual, but I’ve found a particular position that makes it easy for me to push on the pin with my left thumb and turn the ratchet with my right hand. Kinda wrapped around the radiator. I can see that this would be much more difficult if I could not use the ratchet, in that case a gizmo of some sort might be handy. Maybe not essential, but handy.

Speaking of which, has anyone modified their toolbox to allow the use of a ratchet?
Click to expand...

That, plus using the timing indicator and the offset box wrench makes it pretty easy.
 
JayJay, I had the front mounted tool box too and thought about drilling a hole in the back of it so that I could use the hand crank. I ended up taking it off and selling it. When using the crank the contents would have to be removed and the hand crank would only work in the 9 to 3 o'clock sector.
 
I have the tool box on the front. I have considered drilling a hole that would line up with the crank hole just for the purpose of turning the crank with a 1-3/8 socket with a 1/2 extension. Especially since I had all that set up before I put the tool box on. The crank starting option wasn't considered in my thoughts. In the 14 years I have owned my pickup, it was started with a crank only once, and that was just to prove that it could be done.
 
Bruce of MN said:
That, plus using the timing indicator and the offset box wrench makes it pretty easy.
Click to expand...
FWIW, I have the offset crank wrench available from most of the vendors. It has an offset to get around the pulley, but does not have a reversing offset to bring the handle back aft, away from the radiator. I find it difficult to use without scraping my knuckles on the radiator fins.

I looked and Mike's A-Fordable seems to have the one with the double offset, which looks way friendlier to the hands. I think some modification to the one I have is in order.
 

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I just take the #1 sparkplug out and, with a pen-light, watch the piston. It's quite easy to see when it reaches TDC. But I like Tom's tool. Very innovative.
 
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