need help finding tdc

[nater200]

i believe my crankshaft pulley slipped while manually rotating the engine to install my flexplate because my car runs again and it runs decent but when i hook up the timing light it the timing mark is nowhere near the the marker. how do i find tdc so i can put the distributor in right? i also have another question. is the timing marker on the timing cover the same as the one that is bolted on? because i forgot to put the bolted one back on when i put the motor back together. thanks in advance.

nathan

 

[rickwrench]

Get an old spark plug and smash out all the insulator and stuff/force/wrench a bolt that just barely fits into the metal shell until about an inch and a half or so sticks out the bottom. Make sure the bolt is jammed in tight and won't ever move again (epoxy, JB weld, or just the right size bolt, etc) and round off the bolt end with a file. You've just constructed a valuable tool call a piston stop. Install into cylinder number one. GENTLY turn the engine over with a wrench or socket, on the damper bolt, until the piston hits the bolt. With a sharpie or other pen mark the damper pulley at the 0 degrees mark and turn the engine the other way until it hits and mark that spot. TDC is exactly halfway between the two marks. If the stock notch/mark is not exactly at this point, your damper is toast.
Rick(wrench)

 

[cfmustang]

Or, if your not that mechanically inclinded or lazy like me, you can order one from Summit Racing. I got one from there earlier in the Summer. I think it was like about $10. I think it was make by Crane as a part to their Cam degreeing kit.

 

[hasa68mustang]

I have to do this today to check mine... should be fun...

 

[DaGr8Tim]

I saw brass ones some where for like $12. Might have been Jegs.

 

[hasa68mustang]

I just found approx TDC with a screw driver... and mine is right on...

 

[rickwrench]

Or, if your not that mechanically inclinded or lazy like me, you can order one from Summit Racing. I got one from there earlier in the Summer. I think it was like about $10. I think it was make by Crane as a part to their Cam degreeing kit.
-and-
I saw brass ones some where for like $12. Might have been Jegs.

BUY ONE? C'mon, what REAL mechanic would buy a tool for $10 when he could spend $30 and five or six hours of time making one?
Rick(wrench)