Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) TDC... need help!

[Johnstra]

I'm trying to used the dropped valve method, but I just can't feel contact with the piston. I'm afraid to keep trying. I'm using a barring tool. After intake valve closes, I rotate close to another 1/2 turn. Loosen exaust adjuster, crank down 4 rotations on the adjuster. I turn really slow but I just never feel contact. I saw the exhaust spring start to compress so I backed off.



Can someone help me?



Thanks,

-john

 

[JCarrillo]

Are you trying to adjust the valves or pull the injection pump or what? Did you try rotating the engine and lock the timing pin to find TDC#1? Even if you get the intake valve to hit the piston, without locking the timing pin you still won't be at TDC on the money.

 

[Johnstra]

I'm checking my pump timing. I can't get my timing pin to go in and I've read that it's best not to rely on it anyway. The dropped valve method works well for most who've tried it, but I don't seem to have the right touch to feel the piston and valve make contact. The method is to get the exhaust valve to touch the piston on either side of TDC then find the center. In theory it's easy

 

[JCarrillo]

I see what your trying to do. At least if you get the pin to go in you'll have a better idea about where it is going to hit. I think it is easier if you have some one turn the engine while your pushing the pin. Are you the original owner of the truck? If your not, someone else could have already broken the pin. It sure is hard to remember to pull the pin back out sometimes. Good luck with your project.

 

[Johnstra]

I finally managed to get the timing pin to engage (my fingers are raw from pushing and pulling on it). It looks like my timing pin is accurate as my pump timing is exactly 13. 5*, which is spot on what it should be stock. I still can't figure out what I'm doing wrong with the dropped valve procedure. For some reason, even though I know where TDC is, I can't feel the exhaust valve and the piston make contact. Somebody what to tell me what I'm doing wrong?

-john

 

[Joe G.]

I turn mine down five turns. Piston to valve contact is obvious. The barring tool gets hard to turn. In fact, it stops.

 

[Johnstra]

Thanks, Joe. I'll try 5 turns next time.



My wife tells me all the time I'm not very sensitive. Guess maybe she's right



-john

 

[Joe G.]

John,



You want to stop the piston quite a ways from TDC. The closer to TDC the less the piston moves in relation to crank movement. So the farther from TDC you stop it with the valve the more accurate the measurement is.

 

[JCarrillo]

I have never had the pleasure of timing a B series cummins. How do you know what the degrees are with a dial indicator that measures in milimeters?

 

[Johnstra]

Look HERE.

-john