My 90 F350 7.3 fuel injector pump died. I got a new one, removed the old one and I'm just getting reay to install the new one. The instructions that came with the pump said to get the number 1 cylinder at TDC. I rotated the crankshaft by hand and set the marker on the harmonic balancer at the zero mark. Now to verify wether it is at TDC on the compression stroke, I'm looking at the "alignment key" on that big gear, the one that is in front of the injector pump. My question is: when the harmonic balancer is at zero, the key is either at the 10 o'clock position or the 5 o'clock position. Which one is TDC on the compression stroke.

Just to let you know I do not have a tool to find TDC, no compression gauge. Your help would greatly be appreciated. I hope I didn't screw anything up yet.

 

line up your key and install.leave your injector nuts backed off by a turn roll engine until fuel is present tighten lines and fire it up.do not crank engine for more than 15 seconds at a time let it cool for a couple of minutes between cranks

 

As long as you DID NOT remove the timing gear cover, just install the IP and line up the dowel pin on the gear and the slot of the IP. TDC does not matter the IP will be aligned with the gear. The small lines on the IP flange top and timing gear cover flange top should be aligned for the first start. You can then take it and get it correctly timed by a shop to 8.5 BTDC. Email me if you want picture info...click on my name.