The simplest, most effective way to find TDC is to remove the valve cover and watch the valves as they operate. The piston will come to the top of its stroke twice in a 4-stroke cycle, once on the compression stroke with both valves closed, which is when the spark needs to happen, and again one turn of the crankshaft later, at the top of the exhaust stroke. Both valves will be slightly open then, with the exhaust valve closing and the intake beginning to open.
With all the spark plugs removed you should be able to turn the engine over by hand by turning the fan. Turn the engine clockwise from the front until the last valve near the firewall (#6 exhaust) begins to open. Continue turning until it starts closing and the one next to it (#6 intake) starts to open. At that point, both #1 and #6 pistons will be at TDC, with the #1 cylinder ready to fire the spark plug. The timing ball should be visible through the hole above the starter, and it should be very nearly aligned with the pointer in that hole. Install the distributor with the rotor pointed toward the #1 spark plug wire in the distributor cap, and arrange the firing order clockwise to be 1-5-3-6-2-4. Crank up and go!
Jerry
Last edited by Hotrod Lincoln; 05/06/2010 12:45 AM.
