What tdc tool do y'all recommend?

[82sbshortbed]

I'm looking at getting a tdc tool to help me time my BBC this weekend. Anyone have one they like? I was looking at this one. Getting good reviews.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002XMOMA2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_BjDFFbAXFFGZT

 

[Bextreme04]

That one looks pretty fancy. It might be nice because you wont have to go clockwise and then back counterclockwise to find the TDC. I used this one and did the clockwise, mark, counterclockwise, mark method.

https://www.amazon.com/Proform-6679...V32T9SA4BSY&psc=1&refRID=A2MSCBJFDV32T9SA4BSY

 

[Dutch Rutter]

In a pinch, I've made my own in the past. Butchered up an old spark plug. Put a bolt through and taped the bolt threads so it wouldn't scar the top of the piston. Worked pretty well.

My last build i bought on off summit and it also worked great. It was like this one (not this actual one but close)
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-900189

 

[Rickf]

I made one out of an old spark plug, cw then ccw method. The $8.50 tool wasn't available when I needed it.

 

[Paladin]

I've generally just used a screwdriver, kind of old skool I guess!

 

[82sbshortbed]

I remember one that would whistle when you were on the compression stroke. Then you could find tdc once you knew you were on the right stroke. Didn't see it though. It'd be helpful sense im doing it by myself.

 

[78C10BigTen]

I've generally just used a screwdriver, kind of old skool I guess!

I always used to pull the hot lead off the distributor that way it cant pop off, then pull the #1 plug and put my finger on the hole. Have a friend bump crank it till it blows my finger off the hole then rotate ccw till it was perfect.

 

[82sbshortbed]

I always used to pull the hot lead off the distributor that way it cant pop off, then pull the #1 plug and put my finger on the hole. Have a friend bump crank it till it blows my finger off the hole then rotate ccw till it was perfect.

Yep, I've done it that way before but, I'm all alone on this one this time. Maybe get lucky if a neighbor can help me out.

 

[Octane]

Yep, I've done it that way before but, I'm all alone on this one this time. Maybe get lucky if a neighbor can help me out.

I stick a small *** of paper towel or tissue paper in #1 and turn till it starts to blow it out,then just turn till its on the timing mark.

 

[louu]

If your just doing it to get the distributor in and get it running. I've always just put it to where I thought top dead center was and then took a piece of 3/8 fuel line, stuck it over the spark plug hole and blew into it. If you can't blow into it your valves are closed and you're good to go. If you can blow into it, your 180 out

 

[Bextreme04]

I guess I just assu

If your just doing it to get the distributor in and get it running. I've always just put it to where I thought top dead center was and then took a piece of 3/8 fuel line, stuck it over the spark plug hole and blew into it. If you can't blow into it your valves are closed and you're good to go. If you can blow into it, your 180 out

I guess I just assumed he had it apart for something. The only time you should need to use a tool like this is if you aren't sure that the marks on your balancer are correct. If you know the marks are all good, you just rotate until the mark lines up with 0, use your blow into it method to see if it's 180 out or not, then stab the distributor with the rotor pointing at #1. Start it up and then fine tune timing from there.

 

[82sbshortbed]

Thats why I love this site. So many different good ways to do something. Never thought about the tissue or hose trick. Good ones. Keep them coming.

 

[Vbb199]

Muh finger to feel it blowing air out the plug hole, and a screwdriver to watch 'er rise!

 

[78C10BigTen]

Muh finger to feel it blowing air out the plug hole, and a screwdriver to watch 'er rise!

Of course your watchin it rise!

 

[Vbb199]

Of course your watchin it rise!

What's that you say?
You say you like to watch tools rise? Wtf Ted

 

[metal tech]

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sng-33650

Mr Gasket or Moroso also make a whistle style. I tried to use the rod version shown in first post, no luck as the dome/valve reliefs on the piston bound up the rod. There is info that recommends the rod style for engines that have the spark plug in a vertical relation to the piston.