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Top Dead Center #1
Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2020 3:43 pm
by ChuckLebeda
When the timing mark on the camshaft gear is in line with the 'FORD' inscription on one tooth of the timing gear; is this Top Dead Center for piston #1? When mine are inline it still appears as #1 piston still has about 1/8 to 1/4 inch to reach top of head. Gear teeth have to move about 5 more teeth for piston to reach top of head.
Re: Top Dead Center #1
Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2020 4:09 pm
by Kevin Pharis
This is not an optical dillusion... the timing marks are nothing more than that. TDC is best found with a dial indicator on the piston, or also the crank pin is a decent indicator
Re: Top Dead Center #1
Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2020 4:30 pm
by ChuckLebeda
Re: Top Dead Center #1
Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2020 4:54 pm
by Norman Kling
There are two "top dead centers" for each cylinder. The crankshaft makes two rotations for each turn of the camshaft and also there are two positions in which the camshaft gear can be installed on the camshaft. But it doesn't make any difference which position the gears are in relation to the camshaft. Only thing which matters is that the gears are installed in the position where the two marks are aligned. Then when you go to set the timing, you turn the crankshaft to the point where both valves are closed and the piston has just started down on the intake stroke.
Norm