TDC Finder

Can't see how this "snake oil" device is any better than the time and proven method of dropping the pin in the hole. Thumb over the spark plug hole gets close enough to locate the dimple, as I said before mark the dimple with nail polish or paint than look for it next time with a mirror and flashlight.

John
 
aermotor said:
Can't see how this "snake oil" device is any better than the time and proven method of dropping the pin in the hole. Thumb over the spark plug hole gets close enough to locate the dimple, as I said before mark the dimple with nail polish or paint than look for it next time with a mirror and flashlight.
utor
John
Click to expand...

It's not. It's a generic tool for any engine.

Say you are working on a big V-8 from the 60's or 70's and you are going to install the distributor. No hand crank. No timing pin. You have to turn the engine over with the starter and bring #1 around to TDC. This gives you a whistle sound as #1 starts up on compression. You stop cranking and then start bumping the starter to bring the timing mark on the crank pulley around to the timing mark on the block.

A neat idea. I have done it with a finger in the spark plug hole.

:cool:
 
I aways take the plugs out, take the distributor cap off, line up the rotor to the cylinder 1 distributor body contact via hand crank or wrench on the crank nut , then use the timing pin. Gets you very close before using the timing pin.
 
Or find TDC once and mark it. But I guess that would be too easy...

The whistle is pretty cool tho.

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aermotor said:
Can't see how this "snake oil" device is any better than the time and proven method of dropping the pin in the hole. Thumb over the spark plug hole gets close enough to locate the dimple, as I said before mark the dimple with nail polish or paint than look for it next time with a mirror and flashlight.

John
Click to expand...

John, that is great. Now i have a reason to tell my wife why I have red nail polish in my tool box.:D
 
Arms not long enough ? Remove plugs 2,3,4 leave #1 in, hand crank when it gets harder to crank! Has any just left #1 in loosely and listen to the air bypassing the plug?
 
here's my favourite universal method...slacken plug, soapy water and watch the bubble enlarge as it approaches TDC.
 

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Hard for one person to both crank and use the pin unless possibly if you’re under 30 and very athletic. Also to see the soapy bubble method. I plug the #1 hole with a rolled up paper towel. When you hear the pop, you’re in business for penny or so in cost.
 
My method. Remove all spark plugs, is then easy to crank when you are not fighting compression. Take top cap off the distributor, rotate motor until rotor lines up with cylinder 1 dist contact. Use a ratchet nut wrench and timing pin to locate TDC. Nice thing about using the ratchet nut wrench is if you go past the dimple you can turn the motor in reverse direction a little ways, then turn in normal direcion to try to find the dimple again.
 
30 Closed Cab PU said:
My method. Remove all spark plugs, is then easy to crank when you are not fighting compression. Take top cap off the distributor, rotate motor until rotor lines up with cylinder 1 dist contact. Use a ratchet nut wrench and timing pin to locate TDC. Nice thing about using the ratchet nut wrench is if you go past the dimple you can turn the motor in reverse direction a little ways, then turn in normal direcion to try to find the dimple again.
Click to expand...

That's pretty much how i do it except if i miss the dimple by a bit, I just put the car in gear and push it back to bump the motor back a bit, then "gently" turn the crank to locate the dimple without blowing past it again.
 
You could bend up a very special 1⅜" wrench to turn your engine forward and backward to find the timing mark. I have given several away to my club members.

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This is funny, while it is sold as a TDC indicator, it really is not.
Used forever as a compression stroke indicator.
Typically used when setting valve lash in modern motors.

J
 
A lot of adieu about nothing. What's wrong with watching for the rotor to come to the #1 post on the distributor housing? when it gets close slow down and use the pin on the timing gear.
 
I put a dab of red nail polish at the 12:00 position of the crank pulley when it was right at TDC. Now, when looking for TDC, I can see it coming and feel for it with the pin when it comes around (using hand crank) I can also watch the rotor and if it is pointing to #4, I know it needs to come around again. I don't find it difficult at all to reach around the radiator while feeling the pin with one hand and cranking with the other, since the between the mark on the pulley and the rotor position, I don't have to crank and feel very far.
 
Can't count on the distributor position if it was not properly installed... Tried to time a V8 Flathead once and found that some dummy (me) had installed the distributor 180 degrees out... "Enjoy the adventure"... Chap
 
d Hi Bruce. Having read all of the negatives posted above, you are lilely wondering why you bothered to post the gadget in the first place??? Howeveer, I enjoyed your post because I have never seen one of these gizmos before. Thanks for sharing!
 
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