Finding TDC with a dowel

["Todd Wallis" <cyclone@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I don't know what angle the spark plugs enter the cylinder on an old AMC but 
I tried using a dowel (pencil) on a 71 Volvo P1800 with disastrous results. 
I'm quite sure that the hard-core AMC guys have tried this and it probably 
works just fine but I would be very cautious and not assume that using a 
dowel will work on just any ol' motor.

When I tried it on the Volvo, the piston didn't push the pencil up it simply 
snapped the end off (the end with the metal ring and the eraser of course) 
inside the cylinder.  After I got done crying, swearing, and 
hyper-ventilating, I pulled myself together.  Eventually I got the piece out 
by tapering a shop vac hose down to small fuel line and using incredible 
suction to fish it out.  I narrowly escaped pulling the head off that little 
gem.

Just one man's screw up that might help you avoid your own.

Todd Wallis



----- Original Message ----- 
From: <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2004 6:36 PM
Subject: Finding TDC


> I seem to remember seeing a doo-dad that screwed into
> a plug hole and indicated TDC. It was some sort of
> probe that rose as the piston came up, then fell when
> the piston went past TDC. Seems JC Whits carried it.
> I have always had good luck with a dowel stuck into
> the cylinder, feeling the piston, and a big ol socket
> on the crank to turn the engine over.....Russ
>
>
>
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