Does the TDC method work?
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2004
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Does the TDC method work? I bought an air fitting tool to run compressed air into my cylinder and it doesn't seem like any of the fittings thread into my head! Needless to say, I'm mad... but I want to get these springs done if the couple of hours I have free tonight.
Now, LS1howto says that you can bring the piston to tdc and the valve will just BARELY fall until it hits the piston, and I assume will still leave enough stem vissable to be able to compress the new spring and lock them.
Does this TDC method work?
Any problems with it if the fly is locked in position? Just give me info please.
Now, LS1howto says that you can bring the piston to tdc and the valve will just BARELY fall until it hits the piston, and I assume will still leave enough stem vissable to be able to compress the new spring and lock them.
Does this TDC method work?
Any problems with it if the fly is locked in position? Just give me info please.
TECH Junkie
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,726
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From: Fort Collins, CO
I saw somebody bend a couple of pushrods using that method. I'm not sure if they followed the instructions correctly, nor am I very familiar with the 'TDC Method', but just for piece of mind, I would get an air tool fitting that worked with my cylinder head. That's just me though.
The tdc method works great, i used it. The valve only goes down like a quarter inch and you only have to go a little past that before the locks are free. I'm not sure how you could bend pushrods since they're not even in the engine when you're doing a spring swap. If you're flywheel is locked you'll only be able to do 2 cylinders, then you'll have to unlock it and turn the engine 90 degrees, then do 2 more, etc.
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Joined: Jul 2004
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Good to hear!
Also -- How many times must I turn the crank and look for the holes lined up to insure that I degreed it right. Like, say for instance it was one tooth off, and I turned it 10 times, would it show me that it was off then?
I found a way to redneck rig up my cylinder compression fitting to make it thread in. I'll bring it to tdc AND run compressed air in there for added insurance.
Also -- How many times must I turn the crank and look for the holes lined up to insure that I degreed it right. Like, say for instance it was one tooth off, and I turned it 10 times, would it show me that it was off then?
I found a way to redneck rig up my cylinder compression fitting to make it thread in. I'll bring it to tdc AND run compressed air in there for added insurance.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 1
From: Lincolnton, NC
Yes it works! Once you find TDC all you do is turn it over by hand 90deg and change the next ones. I do not remember the actual number sequence though. Now when you are reinserting the retainers be sure to pull the valve up all the way. Just makes it easier and takes a few turns off the spring compression tool. Believe me, anywhere you can shave off a couple of turns adds up.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Chicago, IL
Originally Posted by ram-it
Yes it works! Once you find TDC all you do is turn it over by hand 90deg and change the next ones. I do not remember the actual number sequence though. Now when you are reinserting the retainers be sure to pull the valve up all the way. Just makes it easier and takes a few turns off the spring compression tool. Believe me, anywhere you can shave off a couple of turns adds up.
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Originally Posted by derek_silvy
Good to hear!
Also -- How many times must I turn the crank and look for the holes lined up to insure that I degreed it right. Like, say for instance it was one tooth off, and I turned it 10 times, would it show me that it was off then?
Also -- How many times must I turn the crank and look for the holes lined up to insure that I degreed it right. Like, say for instance it was one tooth off, and I turned it 10 times, would it show me that it was off then?
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