Trying to find Top Dead Center

[denverslim]

So, we took the crank around about three times looking for a dimple to match up with the pointer on my 830 CK. It must have totally worn off.
Can I just listen for the rush of air on #1 Cylinder and then set the rotor toward the #1 plug wire for timing?...slim
 

[dboll]

find the compression stroke by holding your thumb over the hole, stick a screwdriver in the plug hole and rotate the engine ,you will feel it when it hit's tdc, loosen dist. turn on the switch and rotate dist until #1 sparks, then fine tune when running
 

[old]

Well since you said plug then I know it is a gas engine. Take a plastic soda straw and have all the plugs out. Place the straw in #1 cylinder and slowly turn the engine by hand. You should be able to feel the straw coming up and the moment it starts to go back down you know your just past TDC. From there you have a 50/50 chance your on the compression stroke. If 180 out just swap the plug wires across the cap. Reason for the soda straw is it you get it stuck or other such thing it will burn out and not hurt the engine
 

[denverslim]

Thanks. So if I get the air form the cylinder it must be the compression stroke, right? Why only 50-50. Will the exhaust stroke feel the same?...slim
 

[Paul A Young]

The hash marks on the pulley could be full of paint. It would take quite a lot of rubbing on them for them to be gone. Just a suggestion.
 

[old]

Reason I say 50/50 is because on both compression and exhaust stroke you can get some air coming out since on compression it is there to fire and on exhaust it is there to expel the exhaust and if turning it by hand you do not feel much on either. If you turn it over with the starter by the time you get your finger off the button it is long past TDC
 

[Case Nutty 1660]

when you get it on top dead center you can pull the valve cover and see if both pushrods are loose on #1 cylinder if not turn it one more time and they should be loose that tells you you are on the right 50/50
 

[FarmerHR]

I had the same problem on my Series 830 Model 941. I foud top dead center usimng a small wooden dowel. I then got out some steel wool and scrubed the area under the timing pointer. After nnscrubbing pretty hard, the timimng marks did appear.
Good Luck !
 

[dboll]

you will get way more pressure on the comp. stroke as the ex valve is open on the ex. stroke