Top Dead Center?

[FORD8N]

Does this look like a Top dead center mark? Cant find any other marks on the flywheel....
Took number one spark plug out, turned engine until I felt compression, then turned more until I saw this mark. Cant find any more marks...
This is a Ford 8n side distributor 1952

 

[FORD8N]

Everything I have looked at says there should be a "0" for top dead center but I am hoping this is it. Not sure if I am missing the mark or it is just not there. Here is a little history... The tractor ran fairly well, but sounded like it was missing. I adjusted the carb with no luck. Felt that it would be a timing issue. Took the distributor off to find top dead center and that is where I am now. Trying to get it back timed correctly.
Thanks for your help

 

[JCinKY]

Nope.

Side mount flywheel will have two sets of marks. One at TDC on #1, the other 180* out.

They SHOULD be clearly marked with degrees. It does not only indicate 0*, but 5*, 10*, and I think 15*.

Your 52 sidemount should be timed 4* BTDC. Hence the extra marks.

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 19:39:11 10/01/13) Does this look like a Top dead center mark? Cant find any other marks on the flywheel....
Took number one spark plug out, turned engine until I felt compression, then turned more until I saw this mark. Cant find any more marks...
This is a Ford 8n side distributor 1952

at be, but it isn't factory, like this:

 

[JCinKY]

Check it out...

www.n?tractor?club.com/howtos/pdfs/Distributor-8N-Side-Mount-Timing-Procedure.pdf&sa=U&ei=ZV9LUuX1CsqWyAHnmoGADQ&ved=0CAsQFjAA&usg=AFQjCNFtQ71Gfp5FVyaI3D6soFXWCLa5NA

Remove the ?'s

 

[FORD8N]

Thanks for the quick replies. That link is the exact link I printed out and was going by. Unfortunately, my problem now is I cant find any marks...

 

[FORD8N]

Once your figer feels the compression on number one hole, how many bumps of the starter are marks located. Trying to figure out if i put the distribitor in when I feel compression if that would be close

 

[JCinKY]

Spin engine till you feel compression on #1. Shine light down in #1 plug hole and watch piston. You should just be able to see when it just rolls over the top.

Alternately, remove valve cover and turn engine be hand. TDC is when #1 exhaust is just closing and intake is just beginning to open.

Mark flywheel accordingly.


On a side note and not much related. I had to find TDC on a Briggs 22hp OHV. The catch is I could only turn the engine backwards. Talk about a head scratcher...

 

[JCinKY]

Starter bump will vary too much based on starter condition, battery charge, etc.

Get it to TDC (or very very close). Stick distributor in the hole so your rotor button is pointing at #1 cylinder. It may take a few tries to get cam and dist gears to mesh just right.

Install cap, primary wire and plug wire in #1. Turn on ignition and rotate dist til you get spark from #1 plug wire to ground. Lock it down.

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 20:17:39 10/01/13) Spin engine till you feel compression on #1. Shine light down in #1 plug hole and watch piston. You should just be able to see when it just rolls over the top.

Alternately, remove valve cover and turn engine be hand. TDC is when #1 exhaust is just closing and intake is just beginning to open.

Mark flywheel accordingly.


On a side note and not much related. I had to find TDC on a Briggs 22hp OHV. The catch is I could only turn the engine backwards. Talk about a head scratcher...

ou can't see piston through spark plug hole on an N engine.

 

[FORD8N]

I guess tomorrow, I will try again and clean the rust spots with gas and a small brush while I turn the engine. With any luck hopefully I will find the marks... If I can get it timed to the right spot then I can move forward with trouble shooting.
Should there be marks on the flywheel right after feeling the compression on number one?
Sorry for all the crazy questions...

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 20:36:25 10/01/13) I guess tomorrow, I will try again and clean the rust spots with gas and a small brush while I turn the engine. With any luck hopefully I will find the marks... If I can get it timed to the right spot then I can move forward with trouble shooting.
Should there be marks on the flywheel right after feeling the compression on number one?
Sorry for all the crazy questions...

ompression occurs over a period of one half a crankshaft rotation, so you can feel it over that half turn.

 

[Ultradog MN]

Just stick a piece of wire down a spark plug hole. You can get pretty close to TDC just watching the wire. Of course you don't know which stroke it's on that way.
As for locating the marks on a flywheel,
Any time I have a flywheel off the engine and am reassembling I take a wire wheel and clean up the timing marks. Then take some lacquor thinner to clean it and spray paint that area white.
While the paint is still wet, take a rag and wipe it off.
The paint will stay in the lines and numbers and make it VERY easy to read through the hole.

 

[Hobo,NC]

(quoted from post at 05:40:05 10/02/13) Just stick a piece of wire down a spark plug hole. You can get pretty close to TDC just watching the wire. Of course you don't know which stroke it's on that way.
As for locating the marks on a flywheel,
Any time I have a flywheel off the engine and am reassembling I take a wire wheel and clean up the timing marks. Then take some lacquor thinner to clean it and spray paint that area white.
While the paint is still wet, take a rag and wipe it off.
The paint will stay in the lines and numbers and make it VERY easy to read through the hole.

Y'all making this to hard You can stick a 7/16 bolt in number 4 spark plug hole and get #4 on the rock and set TDC purty much dead nutz... Its like magic... I could write a book on it to show how smart I am but I like magic better :wink:

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 22:13:06 10/01/13)

(quoted from post at 05:40:05 10/02/13) Just stick a piece of wire down a spark plug hole. You can get pretty close to TDC just watching the wire. Of course you don't know which stroke it's on that way.
As for locating the marks on a flywheel,
Any time I have a flywheel off the engine and am reassembling I take a wire wheel and clean up the timing marks. Then take some lacquor thinner to clean it and spray paint that area white.
While the paint is still wet, take a rag and wipe it off.
The paint will stay in the lines and numbers and make it VERY easy to read through the hole.

Y'all making this to hard You can stick a 7/16 bolt in number 4 spark plug hole and get #4 on the rock and set TDC purty much dead nutz... Its like magic... I could write a book on it to show how smart I am but I like magic better :wink:

obo, I took someone else's video & modified it, just for you, to 'splain 'on the rock'. Then all he needs to know is that when #4 is 'on the rock', #1 is at TDC-compression.

 

[Royse]

(quoted from post at 23:26:35 10/01/13)

(quoted from post at 22:13:06 10/01/13)

(quoted from post at 05:40:05 10/02/13) Just stick a piece of wire down a spark plug hole. You can get pretty close to TDC just watching the wire. Of course you don't know which stroke it's on that way.
As for locating the marks on a flywheel,
Any time I have a flywheel off the engine and am reassembling I take a wire wheel and clean up the timing marks. Then take some lacquor thinner to clean it and spray paint that area white.
While the paint is still wet, take a rag and wipe it off.
The paint will stay in the lines and numbers and make it VERY easy to read through the hole.

Y'all making this to hard You can stick a 7/16 bolt in number 4 spark plug hole and get #4 on the rock and set TDC purty much dead nutz... Its like magic... I could write a book on it to show how smart I am but I like magic better :wink:

obo, I took someone else's video & modified it, just for you, to 'splain 'on the rock'. Then all he needs to know is that when #4 is 'on the rock', #1 is at TDC-compression.

That would be even easier to see if the valves for #1 were visible.
Can't judge the interaction of 2 and 3 with #2 having a stuck open valve.
Next time I have a head off I'll try to get a full view.
Just put one back together last week. :roll:

 

[L.B,]

A hand crank will solve the TDC location ya can roll right up on it. With all plugs removed its a smooth roll R/hand turns crank. L/hand holds a piece of wire in #1 hole. If ya got a loader on your N you can turn the pump shaft with a pipe wrench for TDC. A hand crank can is better then a bump button. The points can be brought up on the lobe real fast and perfect with a hand crank.

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 00:27:00 10/02/13)

(quoted from post at 23:26:35 10/01/13)

(quoted from post at 22:13:06 10/01/13)

(quoted from post at 05:40:05 10/02/13) Just stick a piece of wire down a spark plug hole. You can get pretty close to TDC just watching the wire. Of course you don't know which stroke it's on that way.
As for locating the marks on a flywheel,
Any time I have a flywheel off the engine and am reassembling I take a wire wheel and clean up the timing marks. Then take some lacquor thinner to clean it and spray paint that area white.
While the paint is still wet, take a rag and wipe it off.
The paint will stay in the lines and numbers and make it VERY easy to read through the hole.

Y'all making this to hard You can stick a 7/16 bolt in number 4 spark plug hole and get #4 on the rock and set TDC purty much dead nutz... Its like magic... I could write a book on it to show how smart I am but I like magic better :wink:

obo, I took someone else's video & modified it, just for you, to 'splain 'on the rock'. Then all he needs to know is that when #4 is 'on the rock', #1 is at TDC-compression.

That would be even easier to see if the valves for #1 were visible.
Can't judge the interaction of 2 and 3 with #2 having a stuck open valve.
Next time I have a head off I'll try to get a full view.
Just put one back together last week. :roll:

o need to have head off. Alternative to Hobo's bolt (feels both valves) would be two straws (one resting on each valve) that you can watch as you crank it over & as said, wrench or hand crank works better than starter & if not that, put in high gear & roll by rocking.

 

[gwstang]

That is just too dang funny with the rooster! Thanks for the good smile and laugh this evening.

 

[Royse]

(quoted from post at 08:05:04 10/02/13)

(quoted from post at 00:27:00 10/02/13)

(quoted from post at 23:26:35 10/01/13)

(quoted from post at 22:13:06 10/01/13)

(quoted from post at 05:40:05 10/02/13) Just stick a piece of wire down a spark plug hole. You can get pretty close to TDC just watching the wire. Of course you don't know which stroke it's on that way.
As for locating the marks on a flywheel,
Any time I have a flywheel off the engine and am reassembling I take a wire wheel and clean up the timing marks. Then take some lacquor thinner to clean it and spray paint that area white.
While the paint is still wet, take a rag and wipe it off.
The paint will stay in the lines and numbers and make it VERY easy to read through the hole.

Y'all making this to hard You can stick a 7/16 bolt in number 4 spark plug hole and get #4 on the rock and set TDC purty much dead nutz... Its like magic... I could write a book on it to show how smart I am but I like magic better :wink:

obo, I took someone else's video & modified it, just for you, to 'splain 'on the rock'. Then all he needs to know is that when #4 is 'on the rock', #1 is at TDC-compression.

That would be even easier to see if the valves for #1 were visible.
Can't judge the interaction of 2 and 3 with #2 having a stuck open valve.
Next time I have a head off I'll try to get a full view.
Just put one back together last week. :roll:

o need to have head off. Alternative to Hobo's bolt (feels both valves) would be two straws (one resting on each valve) that you can watch as you crank it over & as said, wrench or hand crank works better than starter & if not that, put in high gear & roll by rocking.

Agree, no need to see them at all to set TDC using this method.

I simply meant that since #1 is not visible, you can't see the
relationship between the valves on #4 when on the rock and
the valves and piston on #1 cylinder at that time.
If someone is trying to understand why/how this works, that might
be helpful. (I also realize the video was not made for that)
I was offering to make that video next time I had a head off.
Probably be #9,999,999 on the internet though.

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 23:09:43 10/02/13)
That is just too dang funny with the rooster! Thanks for the good smile and laugh this evening.

ey,, rooster is critical to letting the viewer know that engine rotation is being reversed! But you already knew that.