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Trying to find TDC on 351W

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Starliner

Trying to find TDC on 351W

I am putting in a distributor and need to start from scratch.
Here's what (I think) I know:
Looks like the piston stop is most used.
18mm?
Rotate clockwise looking for compression stroke, (air coming out of #1 piston) till it stops. Mark the crank,
Turn counterclockwise until it stops again, mark the crank.
In between the two Mark's is TDC.
Does this look correct?
Is the piston stop tool the preferred method?
Thanks.

JOE
1984 F250 HD 2wd auto w/air,
351W, 2bbl, Dana 60 3.73, no EEC

Gary Lewis

Re: Trying to find TDC on 351W

Administrator

A piston stop is the most accurate. But using a straw or something like that should also work. Your damper should be accurate unless it has slipped, and if it has slipped it is likely to be quite a ways off instead of a degree or two.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

Starliner

Re: Trying to find TDC on 351W

Thanks Gary.
Maybe I will use the straw or a hose since not one local parts store sells a piston stop.

JOE
1984 F250 HD 2wd auto w/air,
351W, 2bbl, Dana 60 3.73, no EEC

Gary Lewis

Re: Trying to find TDC on 351W

Administrator

I made my piston stop. I ground off the ring that holds the porcelain in on an old plug. Then I drilled and tapped the plug to take something like a 1/4-20 screw and used a carriage bolt since they have a rounded head.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dean_L

Re: Trying to find TDC on 351W

In reply to this post by Starliner

I have a 351W in my 65 mustang, when I found TDC, I rotated the engine feeling for air from #1 cylinder. When I could feel air coming up, I inserted a screwdriver, as the screw driver was moving up, I stopped at about 8 deg before TDC. I set distrib to be hitting #1 spark plug wire, and was able to fire it up. I then tuned in the timing using my timing light to be around at 34 degrees when revved to around 4000 rpm

Dean L
Coarsegold, Ca

Early Build (Sept 1984)
1985 F250, 4x4, 460, Red Standard Cab, Duel Tank

ArdWrknTrk

Re: Trying to find TDC on 351W

Administrator

In reply to this post by Starliner

Plugs most likely have a 14mm 1.25 thread.

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

Starliner

Re: Trying to find TDC on 351W

Thanks, I did the Dean L method. Runs great now.

JOE
1984 F250 HD 2wd auto w/air,
351W, 2bbl, Dana 60 3.73, no EEC

Gary Lewis

Re: Trying to find TDC on 351W

Administrator

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dean_L

Re: Trying to find TDC on 351W

In reply to this post by Starliner

Awesome!

Dean L
Coarsegold, Ca

Early Build (Sept 1984)
1985 F250, 4x4, 460, Red Standard Cab, Duel Tank