Top-Dead-Center HELP.....

[lorenambrose]

How do you guys find TDC (top-dead-center) on the compression stroke for the #1 cylinder?

I do not see any timing marks on the crank pulley, or the block for that matter. I am not going to order specialty indicators that thread into the spark plug hole or anything like that. There seems to be absolutly NO timing marks of any kind. How does Ford expect someone, including a tech, to work on this thing with no timing marks.

I really need some help here, as I have ordered the CPS alignment tool and plan to do the deed next weekend.

 

[JP02XLT]

There are marks on the balancer, but they were rusted so bad on mine I had to sand & then oil the thing to see them. Everyone I have seen has been marked very very lightly. A for sure method is it to pull the valve cover & look at the rocker, and follow the combustion cycle. Other methods I have used is to feel for compression or use a drinking straw in the plug hole to follow the piston to TDC, but you still have no relation to the CPS until you know your on the compression stroke. These motors are a true pain. On a side note I marked my balancer when the motor was out while I had a degree wheel on it checking the cam, its real easy now to find TDC & BDC.

JP02XLT

 

[dennis461]

Want a picture

I have a 1996 3.0 liter, CPS on front and toothed wheel.
On my spare harm balancer, there is a missing tooth.
The first tooth edge to the left (not center of the tooth) is 40 degrees before TDC.
The fifth to the left of the missing tooth is TDC.
Ill' sell you a picture for $100.
I'll sell the balancer for $1000.



Oh, one more thing.
One of the pully bolts is drilled at TDC.
If you can spot the keyway, it is the bolt to the left of the keyway.

 

[lorenambrose]

There are marks on the balancer, but they were rusted so bad on mine I had to sand & then oil the thing to see them. Everyone I have seen has been marked very very lightly. A for sure method is it to pull the valve cover & look at the rocker, and follow the combustion cycle. Other methods I have used is to feel for compression or use a drinking straw in the plug hole to follow the piston to TDC, but you still have no relation to the CPS until you know your on the compression stroke. These motors are a true pain. On a side note I marked my balancer when the motor was out while I had a degree wheel on it checking the cam, its real easy now to find TDC & BDC.

JP02XLT

I just went out and did a quick wire brushing and there they are. You were not kidding about them being light.