Thread: I am stumped??

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It's called a piston stop and it's the only dead-nuts way to find top dead center with the motor together.

Let's review to make sure you understand.
Remove the #1 spark plug. Turn the motor over with a breaker bar and socket on the harmonic balancer retaining bolt head clockwise in the direction of rotation until a friend feels air being pushed out the spark plug hole with his finger or thumb. When you are about an inch from the timing mark on the damper, stop and insert the piston stop, turning the inner threaded rod down against the top of the piston. Don't try to torque it, just contact the piston. Make a mark on the damper ring at the timing pointer. Now turn the crank back the other way (counterclockwise) all the way around until the piston is again coming to the top of its travel and stops against the piston stop (which you haven't moved). Make another mark on the damper ring at the timing pointer. Halfway between these 2 marks is absolute TDC. Measure carefully. It works best if you use a 6 inch caliper.