Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) True TDC

[CESpitz]

Good Morning

I have heard that you can find true TDC by using a valve as a stop for the piston

I wonder if this is true if it is can somebody please tell me where I can get more information

on how this is done



Thanks in advance for any help



95 standard cab 5sp, trans.





Also is there a happy spot for good mileage and good power that you can set the timing at.



Thank again for the help

 

[hsmith]

Valve as a stop is not good info. With #1 top of compression stroke, remove rocker and valve spring on intake valve. Position dial indicator to stem with valve depressed to touch piston. ( Do this only with piston all the way up)
Rotate engine clockwise with the valve touching the piston and watch indicator until it stops moving. Mark this position and continue turning until indicator starts moving again, mark this position. Mid way between the two will be TDC. May need to apply light pressure to the valve as the seal will keep it from following the piston down. Also may need to repeat a few times for accuracy.

Hope this helps. 16* works for me, but I am not stock.

 

[CESpitz]

T hanks hsmith that is what I needed
I have some mods also

Thanks again

 

[gtobey]

Here is a way to do it without changing any of the valve settings or removing any springs. Deutz diesels put no timing marks on their engines. If you place about a quarter inch piece of steel under one rocker arm to hold a valve open on #1 cylinder, turn the engine over by hand until the piston on #1 stops against the valve. Install a reference pointer of some type on the timing cover, or use something you can align with the crank damper as a reference point (I use a small circular magnet with a small nail epoxied in it for a pointer stuck to the timing cover). Make a mark on the damper in line with the temporary pointer (I use a sharpie to make a mark on the damper) where the piston stopped the crank. Next, rotate the engine in the opposite direction until the piston stops on the open valve again. Make another mark on the damper in line with the pointer reference. Measure the distance between the two marks around that circumference of the damper. Exactly halfway between the marks is the exact TDC. This is the field version of how to find TDC I have used for 42 years. Works for most any conventional 4 stroke OHV engine, gas or diesel. Here in our shop we use a magnetic pointer to the block and magnetic degree wheel stuck to the damper to provide us with the exact TDC after the make the marks by centering the zero in between the marks on the damper.

If the marks you made on the damper are too far apart, reduce the thickness of the piece of steel you placed under the rocker arm. That will move the marks you make closer together on the damper. Hope this will help!Good luck.

 

[GAmes]

What gtobey described is usually called the "drop valve method" and is a variance of what is printed in the factory service manual as the way to correctly position the cam timing pin.



Where you time it is dependent on your driving habits and your engine. One size does not fit all. The majority of my miles are spent in the 1800 to 2000 rpm range, so with my after market cam and mild mods 15* works for me. If you normally drive at 2200 rpm, you more than likely need more advance for the best fuel economy. Engine mods change the optimim setting as well. I tried several settngs, starting at 16, and settled on what I have now.