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#24556 05/29/2003 3:02 PM | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 1,907 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2001 Posts: 1,907 | When the engine fellow reinstalled the head gasket on my rebuilt 261, I noticed the #1 and #6 pistons were at the top of their strokes (besides being new and very, very pretty).
How can I tell if #1 is at TDC or 180 degrees off after I install the lifters, pushrods and rocker arm assembly?
I know you can feel for pressure in #1 spark plug hole while turning it over but is there a way to figure it out by just looking at the pushrod or valve positions?
Thanks!
1948 3/4-Ton 5-Window Flatbed Chevrolet 34 Years. Now with a '61 261, 848 head, Rochester Monojet carb, SM420 4-speed, 4.10 rear, dual reservoir MC, Bendix up front, 235/85R16 tires, 12-volt w/alternator, electric wipers and a modern radio in the glove box.
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#24557 05/29/2003 3:35 PM | Joined: May 2000 Posts: 234 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2000 Posts: 234 | At TDC the #1 cylinder will have both valves completely closed. If you've got it 180 degrees off, the exhaust valve should be just closing.
-Boyo
'48 Willys CJ-2A / '55.1 Chevy 3600 / '66 Austin-Healey 3000 / '04 Volvo wagon (parenthood!?)
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#24558 05/29/2003 3:42 PM | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,745 Member | | Member Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,745 | This is something I have also wondered. If in this case the distributor rotor points at plugwire #1 and the flywheel ball is in the window. Does that mean it is in the proper #1 firing position?
In other words, with the ditributor pointing, and the flywheel ball in the hole, can the motor be 180 degrees off? Or do these mean it is always right?
54 3100 with 235
62 flatbed dump C60 with 261
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#24559 05/29/2003 5:09 PM | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 198 Member | | Member Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 198 | Yes the distributer can still be 180deg out, the easiest way is to take #1 plug out and turn the engine over by hand till pressure is felt, continue turning till the tdc ball shows up, then install the distributer pointing to the #1 sparkplud lead. | | |
#24560 05/29/2003 5:38 PM | Joined: Jul 2000 Posts: 504 Member | | Member Joined: Jul 2000 Posts: 504 | If your engine has been running without the distributor being disturbed, Yes you can take the cap off, see the rotor pointing at # 1, see the ball in the flywheel hole and know for certain that you are at TDC # 1 firing position..
If the distributor has been removed, all bets are off.. I usually spin the motor by hand watching the second valve back from the front. When the valve rises up ( # 1 intake closing ) keep spinning until you see the ball line up with the pointer, now you are at # 1 TDC. Drop your distributor in with the rotor pointing towards the # 1 wire position on the cap..You may have to adjust the timing, (move the distributor a little left or right) to get the engine to start..Works every time..
Bill M
53 GMC Hydra-Matic
Home Page
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#24561 05/29/2003 11:27 PM | Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 9 Member | | Member Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 9 | These folks have it, valves fully closed, you can tell because there will be a little lash in the rockers(if the engines cold, and it doesnt have hydraulic lifters), and the timing mark dead on. If it does have hyd. lifters, the same procedure is used, but you wont have any lash.
JKU72
56 3100
68 Suburban
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#24562 05/30/2003 1:29 AM | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,745 Member | | Member Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,745 | That is what I wanted to know for, to adjust valves.
Thanks
54 3100 with 235
62 flatbed dump C60 with 261
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