Finding TDC

[SmartPatrol]

What's your guys best / easiest way of getting the job done?

[Zaq]

Just did this... took the valve cover off on the bank that had cylinder #1, took spark plugs out, turned crank over by hand (breaker bar and socket) while watching the valves on cylinder 1 to make sure they are both closed. I also crammed a bit of damp paper towel in the spark plug hole on cylinder #1 so when the piston reached the top and both valves were closed the paper towel popped out due to the pressure.

[SmartPatrol]

Crank the motor by hand clockwise, Correct? I do this so infrequently, with years in between, it's like I completely forget how to do it once I have to do it again.

[ws27]

Hope you don't mind me adding/modifying. All you need to do is take #1 plug out and rotate the engine by hand clockwise (you can always figure out rotation by looking at the fan blades in case you forget) while you keep one finger over the hold. When you are approaching TDC, you will feel the coming out, then line up the mark.

[SmartPatrol]

What do you mean look at the fan? Haha. When I look at the fan blades, it appears that it would rotate counter clockwise to blow air to the radiator. Hmmm.

[Zaq]

I actually only mentioned taking the valve covers off because I had mine off already and it made it easier to me. I also did that with my finger the first time and it was a pain to reach over and turn it so I found the paper towel trick to work pretty well.

[ws27]

The fan pulls air through the radiator from the front. You can use a extra long ratchet the ones as long as a breaker bar. With that, you can get it into a position that will work. Also you don't have to keep your finger over the plug hole the whole time, just on the last 90 degrees as the timing mark approaches 0.

[4264door]

I use a compression gauge instead of my index finger. That gives more of a positive seal for a true reading in conjunction with the timing mark on the timing cover. Each to his/her own, whatever works best for you.

[TekHousE]

This video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHX1yXVyIMg

Is excellent in showing a good way to find it..

[BigBlock61]

I guess the first question to be asked is, how accurate are you trying to be? Do want to find TDC to drop in the distributor in the right place or are you doing something like degreeing a cam? If you're lining up the distributor gear than any of the above ways works great. If you need to be precise than you are going to need a TDC tool to positively stop the piston at TDC. I only mention this to cover all bases, because you didn't mention why you were looking for Top Dead Center.