Ok, so following on from my post yesterday about starting on megasquirt for the the first time, I just want to check my timing before I go any further. Is there an easy way to check tdc on a zetec? Is it just a case of using a bar in the rear of the cams? If so, can I then just pick an arbitrary point on he block and pulley to mark tdc, then mark another point 10 degrees behind?

Cheers

Adrian

Use clock gauge down No1 plug hole is the only way to get it spot on.

Have a look at the crank pulley, it should be marked with 2 small notches, the secondone as you rotate clockwise should be the TDC mark which should line up with a mark on the sump IIRC. You can check the valve timing using a 5mm bar across the back of the cams BUT do not use the bar to lock the cams whilst undoing the cam sprocket bolt!

Shows you where you want to be looking



[Edited on 4/2/12 by big_wasa]

Clock gauges are expensive, weld a bit of rod 2" long into the end of an old plug then turn the enginbe over so the piston is 1/2 way down the bore and insert rodded plug.

Now turn the engine by hand over carefully until it fouls the rod, now scribe a line on the pulley ( I would bolt a bent coat hanger to the block and bend this so you have an accurate pointer for the crank pulley), now wind the engine over backwards until it fouls again and scribe.

Simply devide the lines with a compass and you will have TDC, it is the most accurate way by far.

Regards Mark

[Edited on 4/2/12 by mark chandler]

Take out plug
Turn engine over till you can see top of piston through plug hole
Insert wood dowl, metal rod, plastic, what ever you have rock crank back and forward
Mark on crank pulley the two points where the rod does not move
This is the dwel point
Middle of two marks is TDC iras lose as you will get without a dial guage which you can get from eBay for a few quid.

If you have the sillver top sump still on it then it then the marks are as close as you will need.

Thanks gents

I use the timing pin, it is physically impossible to go past TDC.




ATB Dan.