top dead center!!!

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Dec 22, 2005 | 05:50 PM

dj53

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top dead center!!!

I am getting ready to fire her back up and need to be walked thru getting my 360 fe to top dead center for the fire. Thanks Fellas and sorry ,first time thru.DJ

Dec 22, 2005 | 07:39 PM

Hypoid

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From: Golden, CO

With your finger over the #1 spark plug hole turn the crank till you feel pressure, align the "0" on the balancer with the timing mark. This puts piston at TDC; if it's not on the compression stroke (both valves closed) try again.
Install distributer with rotor pointing at #1 spark terminal (mark housing, then remove cap for install).
That should put you close enough to get some fire in the holes, don't worry about tuning 'till it's at operating temp.

Good luck, Mike

Dec 22, 2005 | 08:23 PM

dj53

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This might sound stupid but how will I know they are closed//Thanks DJ

Dec 22, 2005 | 09:38 PM

thunderguns71

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From: Westfield, North Carolina

When you feel the pressure against your finger, they are closed.

Dec 22, 2005 | 11:09 PM

fordeverpower

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From: iowa

some people!

Dec 23, 2005 | 01:29 AM

Hypoid

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Joined: Apr 2004

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From: Golden, CO

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordeverpower

some people!

HEY! I resemble that remark!!!!

dj53, if the valve covers are off it's pretty easy. I just didn't know how much you had apart.

FWIW, you can feel some pressure on the exhaust stroke before the valve opens, then It's gone and you can figure that it's the exhaust stroke. Just a matter of spinning that crank till you are satisfied you have it nailed. (practice, practice, practice)

Having all the plugs out makes it easier to spin the crank, especially if you want to turn it by hand.

Keep asking questions, I'm sure to learn something new. LOL

Dec 23, 2005 | 08:04 AM

jor

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Joined: Jan 2002

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From: Tucson

Quote:

This might sound stupid but how will I know they are closed//Thanks DJ

If you are on the compression stroke, as you turn the engine over:
* 15/16" socket on the damper bolt with a breaker bar;
* left thumb covering number one spark plug hole.
you will feel some pressure as you head toward TDC. When you are close the pressure should be enough to sorta blow your thumb off the hole. Keep turning until the pointer is exactly on zero.

When you stab the distributor, it must end up pointing to number one. Turn the rotor so it points at the number one cap tower, then turn it 30* or so counter clockwise. Then slide it in. When the gear encounter the pump, the rotor will magically turn clockwise back to the number one position.

Here's a couple of photos showing the proper rotor direction.

Well, I'm trying to post the photos but the *&^*&^ app won't let me because I have posted one of them before in another thread (this is not a good feature!) Anyhow, here's a link to the other thread.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=436780
jor

Last edited by jor; Dec 23, 2005 at 08:14 AM.