Timing, piston position...

[39portlander]

A few years ago in the Vintage Ford tech tips section by Milt Webb he talked about on Mag coil systems, position #1 3/32" past TDC (power stroke). Turn the key on and the #1 coil should start to buzz with spark lever retarded (up).

He went on to explain non buzzing coil @ that timing position and corrections to shorten or lengthen the spark rod based on "start buzz" point.

So instead of pulling a spark plug and using a screw driver atop the piston to locate TDC I came up with this.

I figured as I had the head off to mark the crankshaft (blue dot) second picture @ TDC power stroke after setting dial indicator to zero in first picture and approx 3/32" past TDC about .0937 third picture and marking crankshaft again with (black dot), Fourth picture.

I can transpose those marks to the new crankshaft pulley for future reference.

 

[daren007]

You won the battle but you lost the war.

 

[Royce P]

With my old knees it is a lot better to just pull a spark plug. That way I can see when both valves are closed. I use a plastic stir stick from Micky D's on top of the piston. That way I can check it over and over easily with no fear of scratching anything with the little plastic straw.

You really have to be pulling the crank through to determine exactly when the timer event happens. I don't see how it could be done using anything that you had to see at crank level.