I think i've watched like 6 overcomplicated videos until i found yours now. Simple explained, easy, and understandable. Thank you very much for making this !

Good explanation. It took a while to get to the point but I get it now. My 5.7 1995 Chevy doesn't have a timing mark on the harmonic balancer and there is no timing indicator gauge as well so I will be putting one on similar to your friend wanting his not part of the timing chain cover. I guess I will do the finger in number one spark plug hole (or vacuum tester) as I am not removing the head to determine the power stroke and then apply your method to fine tune the TDC mark to make on the balancer. Thanks! Now to see if I can just tap some bolt threads in my compression spark plug adapter first or use your hollowed out spark plug method. Good job.

Best Video Out There On How To Find TDC Thank U So Much My Truck Is All Fixed!!!!

Hey bud, we need more people like you in tbe world. Thumbs up brother.

Awesome. I love simple Solutions! Thank you!

Great trick. Going in to my favorites so I can remember that. Thanks brother.

Outstanding video Matt - never heard or saw it explainned any better.

@chevahaulic

10 жыл бұрын

thank you Tom .

thank u so much matt,a very good job explaining this,does look easy,i got the same dampener so ill beable to punch it out,just painted it black today so its ready for the new mark,lol,makes me feel better that i can use the chrome cover,realy apprechiate u taking the time to make this video,thankx again,tc

@chevahaulic

10 жыл бұрын

No problem at all Rick . Hope this helps you out :)

Absolutely brilliant.

Finally a decent video on how that technique works

Great Tutorial, The closer you get the engine to TDC the less distance your marks will be apart , I use digital calipers when i want to find my timing marks this way

@chevahaulic

8 жыл бұрын

+MICHAEL ROBERTSON yes , very true

Well done man. Better than Summit Racings TDC tutorial. You said it thoroughly.

@chevahaulic

10 жыл бұрын

thank you Man !

@SilentOneCorajuda13

10 жыл бұрын

Yezzir.

Good simple method. Thanks!

I use an old compression tester hose with a balloon zip tied on to find the top dead center, works great!

@robertclymer6948

2 жыл бұрын

I have done that too, works great.

Very clear and simple, good one Matt

@chevahaulic

10 жыл бұрын

thank you Scott :)

I appreciate you simplifying it

Great Info; Thanks!

You are a TRUE MECHANIC!!!

My favorite way to find TDC is to drill a small hole through a spark plug and attach a vacuum gauge to it. Then you just turn over the engine until you see the transition from pressure to vacuum. Then I back it off a little and slowly rotate again until it no longer makes pressure on the gauge. This ensures that you are on the compression stroke.

@chevahaulic

9 жыл бұрын

fire67bird i just use my thumb . But that'll work too .

@uncletim6

9 жыл бұрын

***** that or composition paper

Great tip. Thanks!

@chevahaulic

9 жыл бұрын

JOE Z no problem

Great Vid !

You stated that with a dial back timing light you could find true TDC. Could you please make a video on that procedure? Thanks Yazmin...Venice Beach🏄

Simple! Thank You!

Excellent video thanks

nice how to Matt you learn somthing new here every day.....just wish i could remember it all see ya :-)

@chevahaulic

10 жыл бұрын

Thanks Bruce . I know what you mean , getting old sucks :)

To find out how far to put the rod into the cylinder, turn engine til compression felt put a rod ie screwdriver into the plug hole and turn motor til screwdriver nearly out, turn motor back slightly and screw piston stop in til it just touches the piston, back it off a couple of turns then SLOWLY bring the piston up to meet it this will eliminate any backlash. Hope this helps, takes longer to write than to do. Dave UK

Great job!

To be clear, that's TDC for that timing marker. If you are going to use a non-stock timing cover/marker, chrome or otherwise, you would use this process with the cover/marker you are going to use. I've built several SBC's in my time and never saw a timing cover with the marker center top like that one. How in the heck would you even see it with the water pump and pulley installed?

@frankdavidson9675

Жыл бұрын

mark the pully so you can see it

@x-man5056

Жыл бұрын

@@frankdavidson9675 very true. if you ever have a balancer off, paint it black or at least the timing mark area then use liquid white out or equivalent to make the mark to get good contrast. They are often buried down there on most cars, make easy to see.

Maybe fill that other mark in with a black sharpie? Thanks great video! Now could you help me time an engine with a striped crankshaft bolt! Thank you!

Simple and easy to follow...Good video!

@chevahaulic

10 жыл бұрын

see , I should of been a teacher !! lol well , maybe not :)

@marksponge9852

10 жыл бұрын

Hey I'm learning..

Great info Matt.

@chevahaulic

10 жыл бұрын

thank you Bill .

Great vodeo mann i finally understood!!!

Only thing is it will still be off, you have slack in the timing chain and gears so when you spin backwards unloading tension off the chain you will be off a few degrees... only precise way is dial indicator on the middle of the piston and drop it few thousandths off the stroke in the same direction.

Nice tip and a great video

@chevahaulic

10 жыл бұрын

thank you

Really good video ... with great info.

@chevahaulic

10 жыл бұрын

thank you

@samallenallen7097

7 жыл бұрын

Sam

Great video! I had maybe a stupid question, I’m new to this and was wondering if you were on the compression stroke or if that matters with TDC. I have to drop a distributor in and am researching how to do this, thanks

@chevahaulic

2 жыл бұрын

To find TDC compression, watch your valves

how many inches from the tip of the stop tool piston to the piston, when the pistonn reach to the top of the cylinder?

After you find the True TDC center mark, the distributor goes in pointing at #1? PS, I ask because I just bought a new distributor, dampner & timing chain from Summit Racing is why.

I've been messing with that old small block I've had for twenty years. I must have set the timing by ear in the old days. My marks don't line up at all. Chrome cover.

@chevahaulic

10 жыл бұрын

I can never seem to get the right combo of timing tabs to dampners . So I'm always remarking them it seems. But I didn't make that tool until just a few years ago . One of the kids hanging around the shop was building a mud truck . Couldn't get it timed at all. So I came up with this , after that truck , bet I did 7 more ... lol But I normaly will make it before the head goes on . or with the degree wheel if I'm really in the mood .

Awesome tip.

@chevahaulic

10 жыл бұрын

no problem :)

A Dremel can cut a hairline mark into it and then take a fine paint brush and lay a line of white, silver, bright red paint, etc. in the groove that can't get bothered on the future.

Good tip Matt. I am sure that this will be a help to RickFix.

@chevahaulic

10 жыл бұрын

thank you George

sweet vid. it wouldve been great to see the piston @ the true TDC mark with the head off, after all the measurements.

@robertclymer6948

2 жыл бұрын

Exactly. I don't like piston stops, to many easier ways.

The first mark you made was that top compression stroke?

great info

@chevahaulic

10 жыл бұрын

thank you

Sweet little home made piston stop...I just pull the plug an shove in a screwdriver for a close enough line...and let's face it close enough is good enough for the street...Good vid Matt.

@chevahaulic

10 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ziggy , yes , for the street . It's more than close enough :)

1:22 “ and i’ll show you what the signifhagatej is “ 😂

@dieselburner4461

3 жыл бұрын

yourmomsuncle 💀💀💀💀💀

Thankth for the video thir!!

sweet info

@chevahaulic

10 жыл бұрын

thanks Kenny

God do you know if your at top dead center on compression as opposed to top dead center on the exhaust stroke. As there was nothing said about the valves being looked at for opening/closed ? Did I miss something?

cool

Could probably use a spark plug anti-fouler instead of the plug. Nice and clean, 5$ to save the time. Later, you still have an O2 bung or its original application at least. Great video though.

@wakjob961

3 жыл бұрын

I used one of those "anti-fouler" plug extenders to make my piston stop...worked great!

@zachfox5969

3 жыл бұрын

@@wakjob961 yeah they work for o2 sensors too. Drill out the pipe and you might have to drill the anti fouler. Make a doughnut around the threads with High Heat JB Weld, then crank it down tight. 3 years now and no problems.

thank you

As always a great and easy tip

@chevahaulic

10 жыл бұрын

Thanks Scott

Great video. Do you have to be on the compression stoke before inserting the piston stop?

@wakjob961

3 жыл бұрын

Nope...make no difference. The rotating assembly will stop once in each direction. Tip: take the spark plugs out to make turning it easier.

@gustavette8487

3 жыл бұрын

@@wakjob961 Great tip... Thanks

Great video! I'm trying to find my TDC with heads off and distributor removed. can you help me determine it? i know that cylinder #1 & #6 are up but not to the rim of the block

@selina1964

3 жыл бұрын

So does piston need to be all the way to top lip? Are down 1/4 inch

good stuff right there... thanks

@chevahaulic

10 жыл бұрын

thanks Todd

Great video, going to give this a try. Hard thing to get your head around when it does not matter if on the compression stroke or when piston contacts the stop?

@TRAXRIPPER

9 ай бұрын

It does not matter what stroke it's on when making the mark for a zero point.... why would it? Nor does it matter where the piston comes in contact.... again why would it? The stroke is 360 degrees everytime, no matter what stroke and as long as you make the contact point from clockwise and counter clockwise it could be at the dead bottom at 180 degrees! No matter what when you take both those points and divide them in half that mark will be the zero point no matter what anyone thinks it should be. It's gonna be and that is a mathamatical FACT! Circumference Radius and diameter all fall under the 360 degrees of laws. You are thinking about the piston and not what is being shown! Setting the zero mark for TDC The compression stroke matters when setting the ignition timing. You are on step 35 and this is STEP 1 ON THE NUMBER 1 PISTON SETTING THE DEGREE THAT COMES BEFORE EVEN STEP 1! THE ZERO MARK! 0 DEGREES And no matter what stroke it's on its 360 degrees around every time! The one time that changes will be the last time around as you hear everything blow through the block and smack your feet from under the floor pan as you leave behind what used to be your engine as you coast to an expensive stop to wait for a tow truck! Lol You are complicating the thoughts with steps way beyond the point of what he is doing and showing. You are not wrong at all about what you are saying it's just you are applying it before a timing mark has even been set! SO that is what is he is showing! How to set a mark and you can not go wrong! Actually that math is the FOUNDATION OF BLUEPRINTING WHEN BUILDING ALL ROUND VESSELS SO I KNOW THAT MATH WILL WORK FOR A RACING ENGINE AS WELL BECAUSE WE CAN PROVE AND MAP OUT EXACTLY WHERE THE PISTON SHOULD BE IN THE STROKE ALL 360 DEGREES AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHERE IT WILL BE AND I CHALLENGE ANYONE TO GO PROVE ME WRONG TO THEMSELVES! AND IN ADVANCE I WILL SAY.... I TOLD YOU SO! YOU ARE WELCOME!

@johnbaxter85

9 ай бұрын

@@TRAXRIPPER Mate, you need to get some chill pills? what the hell is wrong with you?

I'm missing something here. After all this is done, what is the distributor set to? The very last center-line mark?

What caused the original issue of the mark mis aligning. Did the outer sleeve of harmonic balancer slip?

Thanks ;)

My problem is I have my pointers on the top side of timing cover and balancer mark is to the right as facing the motor not showing up with light can you give me a measurement from notch from balancer new timing mark you made I'll give it a try.

So after you find the center point between your to marks do you then rotate the engine again and line up that center point with the pointer you used and now the engine is at TDC? Or is the engine already at TDC and you adjust the pointer over to your center mark?

@faust310

7 жыл бұрын

Good question & because I have to do this on my Ranger like now this is what I want to know. The video seems incomplete at the end about what to do with the marks now that they are there. I would imagine crank until it lines up at the zero on the compression stroke & should be good but would like to know for sure too.

I'm using a timing tool that looks quite similar to yours. It allows me to find TDC first and then to set my ignition timing in millimeters before TDC. It allows me to set ignition timings without using crankshaft markings at all. I might make a video on it?

@chevahaulic

10 жыл бұрын

that sounds cool Daniel !

@DanielNoest

10 жыл бұрын

***** I'll try to upload a vid next weekend. Got to work on my bike anyway.

Thanx

well done better than most videos I've seen

nice video, thanks

@chevahaulic

8 жыл бұрын

+philsouthus1 no problem

i have a 6 cly dodge i time at 4 degs tdc i use # 6 by the book it runs fine

Thanks for the knowledge sharing. I only got a question, why are we doing this, was it a change on a part that changed the original mark on the balancer? Put it in a different wording, why the balancing mark didn't match the timing to begin? I am curious as I have a 99 Suburban that some people say it could be a timing chain jumped a teeth... Thanks in advance, Jose

@charlesriportella5453

10 ай бұрын

I’m wondering the same thing

Good stuff..

@chevahaulic

9 жыл бұрын

rpeek thank you

C00L, Could always paint the old mark black to help future confusion. Good video.

@chevahaulic

10 жыл бұрын

lol , I've done that to myself already .... :)

I know this is an old post, and after reading most of the comments, there are a LOT of people who should NEVER touch any engine of any kind.

@chevahaulic

4 жыл бұрын

i know , scary isn't it ! lol

Kindly tell me what is the ignition timing nomber of celerio?

If I put on a new harmonic balancer and the mark was mis aligned wouldn’t that indicate another issue?

hello how do you know we're to tighten down tdc tool to hit piston

@KevinORoss

7 жыл бұрын

you dont you set it somewhere random take your two measurements no matter how far apart they where if you divide them you should get your true top dead center mark is what hes saying

Hi, I have a 4 cylinder car first I rotated the wheel clockwise when the piston was on the top I marked on the balancing wheel then I rotated it anti clockwise till the piston was in top position. The wheel came onto the same point where I had marked . Any explanation to this?

Great video! For anyone about to attempt to make the tool, i tried to break the spark plug porsolin with a screwdriver and hammer, the top broke off pretty easy, but the porsolin in the metal sleeve was really hard to break, i ended up busting out the air hammer and it shaderd it in about 3 seconds, if u have the option go straight for the air hammer and save allllllot of time

@GJJC13

Жыл бұрын

I bought one online for less than $10

@braedendaniel6261

Жыл бұрын

@@GJJC13 I made one for free

@GJJC13

Жыл бұрын

@@braedendaniel6261 Nothing beats FREE!

I am working on a chevy 350 4 a frend and he got.the engine long block we put a crome v cover on it came with a marker is it wright

great inf.

Question. After finding tdc using the piston stop do I need to pull out the distributor and reinstall it again with the rotor facing cylinder #1?

Thanks for this video. I never thought of that

I am working on a Mazda B2000 made in 1984. A 4 cylinder engine. IF I were to follow your example I should be able to set the valve lash for No. 1, 2 In take No. 1,3 Exhaust. Then I would have to Find No. 4 TDC. I suppose the same way as you shown up how to find No.1 TDC. Except as I said with No. 4. Then set the lash for No. 3,4 In take and No. 2 and 4 Exhaust. Have I got the right idea ?

@chevahaulic

9 жыл бұрын

***** if you find the TDC for #1 cylinder . #4 is the same . 1 , 4 pistons will be both on top . depending where your valve's ( if #1 is on compression stroke TDC , both rockers will be loose , where as #4 will be tight do to valve over lap on exhaust stroke ) so if you have it at TDC#1 compression . Rotate crank one complete turn , and #4 will be TDC compression . When you find the mark for #1 TDC , knowing 180 degrees from that mark is would be TDC for 2 and 3 . As for lash , not knowing that engine at all . I would adjust valves on TDC compression on each cylinder . unless you know what valves to adjust at crank position . like on a small block with a hydraulic stock cam , TDC #1 you do half the valves , rotate it one turn , do the rest .

Does it mater where the rockers on cylinder 1 are positioned to find TDC? Hope someone can help.....

That was great very smart how could you tell by sound and running condition if timing is correct anyway

@strikeforcek9149

2 жыл бұрын

It'll run smooth and like it should, without engine "pinging" happening at higher RPM's. Running rough = timing is off Running smooth = timing is good

@startrekking359

2 жыл бұрын

@@strikeforcek9149 Thanks it runs really good smooth and Gets it when GO pedal is pushed.

Very helpfull, my new balancer was also different from the original. My new balancer looks the same as yours, but when i install the waterpump on top of it, it blocks view of the timing mark.. What to do?

@theedrinkeninjapan

2 жыл бұрын

I ordered a differrent Timing Tab, which will be mounted on the side, i hope it works and it would also align with the timing mark on the new Balancer... fingers crossed

A dumb question,but why is it off to begin with?

But how set the timing degree? With no plate.

Do you have to be on the compression stroke before you place the piston stop tool?

@frankdavidson9675

Жыл бұрын

yes

So the crankshaft rotates one time in doing so the engine goes through the Intake Stroke, Compression Stroke , Power Stroke and Exhaust Stroke. IF I understand this right that must mean that the camshaft rotates 2 times ? kind of a 2 to 1 deal ? I have watched several of these videos and no one has made this clear. Also some have said TDC is on the Exhaust side and others have said the Compression side. Seem's to me IF it were a 180 % out the rotor button would be pointing some where other than the number 1 spark plug.

@chevahaulic

9 жыл бұрын

***** the crank rotates two times in a 4 cycle engine to make a complete power stroke . TDC of the piston can happen on compression or at valve over lap . TDC on compression stroke of number 1 cylinder would be TDC for setting dist. on most engines .

@ireneslingerland8400

9 жыл бұрын

*****

This video does a good job explaining how to achieve # 1 TDC. However, if anyone is going to take the time to do this, please understand that; ..... "getting close only" is NOT OK. ..... it is NOT overly complicated to do. ..... we can obtain acccuracy if we follow several very simple steps. The split should be near 30 degrees or so. 30 + 30 = 60. A 60+/- degree split offers more accuracy than a 20 degree split does. Once the piston is in an acceptable location from Top of Stroke, the PPS tool should not only be tightened, the inner threaded portion should be locked by using the jam nut. The new TRUE TDC mark should be made adjacent to a timing tab ZERO notch that is easily viewable for Ignition timing. The marking shown in this video may become blocked from veiw by the engine coolant circulating pump and/or by pulleys. I would opt for a timing tab that was fixed more towards the # 1 cylinder. Things to NOT do: .... use a finger over a spark plug port to dertimine when the piston is at top of stroke. .... use a washer over the cylinder bore to dertimine when the piston is near top of stroke. .... use a minimal split angle.

I did this today but used the timing mark on my balancer to make marks and now its running good but when I kill it and try to start it back up its dragging big time

@chevahaulic

8 жыл бұрын

+joshua bishop thats odd , could be the timing chain or advance in DIST is sticking

so if screwing in the rod is a guessing game, how do you know how far to run it in?

@johnmilner7603

5 жыл бұрын

Remove all the spark plugs then stick your middle finger in #1 plug hole, turn engine clockwise at the balancer center bolt with a socket with a small pipe for leverage or use a breaker bar with a socket until you hear a gush of air go past your finger. Then place a screwdriver in the hole and turn the engine again until the screwdriver comes up as far as it can go up. Keep turning until the screwdriver goes back down about 1/8"-1/4", this is letting the piston go back down a bit. Your doing this extra step with the screwdriver so your two measurements are closer together rather than guessing how far to turn the center bolt in. Now remove the screwdriver, then screw in the stop tool using your fingers to turn the hex of the hollowed out plug finger tight, then turn your center bolt clockwise with your fingers until the bolt stops turning. So now your bolt end is sitting on the top of the piston. Now turn the crank bolt clockwise again to lower the piston a bit then use your jam nut to lock it in place so the center bolt threads don't move. I had you lower the piston just in case the spark plug turned and you don't want to mar the top of the piston. With it locked in place it will be ready the next time you need it for YOUR engine.

ok two questions and these may sound stupid. 1- does it matter how deep the rod is in the cylinder? 2- does it matter what stroke the piston is on?

@chevahaulic

9 жыл бұрын

for #1 , not really . I try to get it closer to the top of the bore when it hits the stop . But the further down the bore , the wider the two lines will be on the balancer . #2 , no , your just locating TDC of #1 cylinder , not compression on #1 .

Well I copied this right out of the Chilton's book. " At No.1 TDC No. 1, 2 In take No. 1,3 Exhaust. At No. 4 TDC No. 3,4 In take and No. 2 and 4 Exhaust. All of this is a bit confusing to me. I do thank you for all your help and any idea's you care to throw my way. I do have another question for you. To find TDC you have to be on the compression stroke, right ? Using the method your using how do you know your on the compression stroke ? I am guessing your watching the intake valve open and close ?

@chevahaulic

9 жыл бұрын

***** yup , TDC of that cylinder will be on the compression stroke on 99% of the engines out there . I'm sure there are a few that dont do it that way . ,And watching the valves is the best way to see where your at in an engine . just make sure your rotating it in the right direction . Otherwise , things get weird fast :)

Should the intake valve be up or down for tdc?

@johnmilner7603

5 жыл бұрын

Both valves will be CLOSED.

I think I must be doing something wrong. I rotated the balancer clockwise until feeling compression. Screwed the piston stop into #1. Rotated clockwise until piston made contact with stop. Marked at 0 on timing tab. Rotated counter clockwise until piston hit stop again. Problem is first mark passed the 0 on timing tab before I made contact with piston. Roughly a full 1 1/2 revolution. What am I doing wrong? SBC ZZ4 crate motor. I believe the factory 8" balancer was replaced with a 6 3/4" balancer. Not sure if that's what is causing the issue.

@chevahaulic

8 жыл бұрын

+Anthony Escobar not sure how it could go past 1 1/2 times before hitting the stop

@philsouthus1

8 жыл бұрын

+chevahaulic...something had to move

@jperkey7089

5 жыл бұрын

Would have to be the 8" balancer was changed to 6 3/4"!

@sammycorreia1705

10 ай бұрын

​@@jperkey7089So if you find top dad's owner, do you still have to adjust your timing

@sammycorreia1705

10 ай бұрын

Tdc

This may be dumb but how do you know if it is compression or exhaust Stroke, whether or not you are 180 out on the exhaust stroke please help

@chevahaulic

3 жыл бұрын

Watching the valves . But for finding the TDC mark on the damper , it don't matter .

Would it still work if you put a bolt on tab on the side?

@chevahaulic

8 жыл бұрын

suga minga yes , it'll work for that as well

TDC ? If they are some that still can't follow this video ............go to (small block chevy timing chain installation) simple explanation and why if your off 180 degrees in you distributor

how about for a 440 and a electronic distributor

@chevahaulic

8 жыл бұрын

+FRANKIE IFFLAND on a 440 , should work just fine to find TDC