proper method to check tdc ?
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: spokane, wa
proper method to check tdc ?
i have an 86 f-150 with a ( we think ) 302 fuel injected.
we had the distributor out to change the oil pan, which is a whole other story.
but of course the distributor never got marked correctly.
got it running roughly , but i think its not firing properly.
id like to take out the distributor and realign the tdc marks and reinstall the distributor, which i did once , with the marks on the pully , but i think i had it 180 degrees out.
is there a way to make doubly sure im at tdc? id prefer not to pull the valve covers , but if thats the only proper method ill resort to that.
any help or suggestions would be extremely helpful.
the haynes manual i got is not very helpful at all.
airrikk17
we had the distributor out to change the oil pan, which is a whole other story.
but of course the distributor never got marked correctly.
got it running roughly , but i think its not firing properly.
id like to take out the distributor and realign the tdc marks and reinstall the distributor, which i did once , with the marks on the pully , but i think i had it 180 degrees out.
is there a way to make doubly sure im at tdc? id prefer not to pull the valve covers , but if thats the only proper method ill resort to that.
any help or suggestions would be extremely helpful.
the haynes manual i got is not very helpful at all.
airrikk17
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Connecticut
Well I found you can do it without pulling the head. Use a 1/2 inch drive ratchet and socket on the crank shaft nut rotating the motor slowly with the ratchet. With the #1 plug out using a wooden dowel in the hole. You rotate the crank shaft with one hand and wooden dowel in the other you can feel when it meets the TDC position. It could be that the base spline of the distributor has gotten move when it was removed and may have to pull it again and rotate it to alighn with the #1 position. Hope this helps, and good luck.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
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Before you pull the dist out again, to check it, pull the #1 spark plug out, turn the engine by hand with a ratchet while holding a finger over the spark plug hole. when you feel the compression from the air trying to blow past your finger, you will know it is coming up on comp. stroke.
Either use a dowel rod as suggested by dungeon_master or shine a light in the spark plug hole. when you see the piston get to the top and JUST START to go back down, that will be TDC. Pull your cap and see if it's pointing to #1 wire.
HTH
Either use a dowel rod as suggested by dungeon_master or shine a light in the spark plug hole. when you see the piston get to the top and JUST START to go back down, that will be TDC. Pull your cap and see if it's pointing to #1 wire.
HTH
New User
Joined: Apr 2005
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after you determine tdc and the proper distributor base timing allow the engine to warm up shut it down and pull the spout connector and check base timing should be if memory serves me 10 degrees before top dead center, these engines are very fussy about timing and have a tendancy to consume more fuel and overheat if timing is not correct. good luck
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: spokane, wa
well i talked to a local ford guy and he seems to think it may be the ditributor module, apparently there were quite a few of them that had these problems , and its only costing me $38 to find out for sure.
now after i get the timing properly set and change outthe dist. module , and if it still keeps dieing on me , ill have ot start with the fuel filters, then the fuel pump after that its going to a shop.
airrikk17
now after i get the timing properly set and change outthe dist. module , and if it still keeps dieing on me , ill have ot start with the fuel filters, then the fuel pump after that its going to a shop.
airrikk17
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Connecticut
It'll be a first for me if the fuel filter is causing back fire. If it was running before you changed the oil pan gasket. Because you said you didnt mark your distributor.I'm still betting the timming is off. If the spline isn't put back in the same spot will either run rough or cause back fire from being retarded timming. good luck.
