I am degreeing a cam with the engine in the boat. I am having a hard time getting a good feel for TDC using the piston stop tool that comes with the indexing set which screws into the spark plug hole. Is there some other tool or method than what I have? I would prefer something like a dial indicator that screws into the plug hole but have never seen one. I was thinking about getting a bolt with the same threads as a spark plug and just screwing that in because it would reach about .100" further down in the bore.

Also, just to confirm this is ok, I am using #6 to find TDC. Should be the same as #1 right? I have issues getting to number one easilty.

BT

Do you have access to a test indicator with a long tip? I think the long tip is 1 1/2" vs the standard 3/4" long tip. I've used that before to go thru the plug hole. Use a mag. base to hold.

and Yes.

not sure how you are using the stop but if you are making the mistake of just feeling it in far enough and just trying to " feel' tdc, you will never do it correctly for a variety of reasons.

run the stop in far enough to stop the piston dead solid some 5 or 10 degrees off of tdc. put a mark on the d wheel where that is. now wind the motor backwards until it stops coming from the other direction. mark the wheel. 1/2 way bewteen the marks is as precise a tdc as you are going to get w/ the head on

No matter how far I extend the stop it doesn't stop the piston solid. I think the domed pistons are messing with me. I'm going to try to bend the end of the threaded rod piston stop to get it deeper into the cylinder. I'll just have to figure out a way to know which way it is pointing when screwed in.

Is the test indicator something I can buy for this purpose US1? Or is it a general tool that is improvised? I'd think there would be an indicator tool made for just this purpose.

BT

Blue,
BTDT ... go to home depot and get a peice of threaded rod and make a longer threaded insert for the tool. I hate using those things, but they are really the only way if the engine is assembled. Just make sure and round off the end that is going to hit the piston. A belt sander does the trick.

Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md

I already tried that too Bill K. Maybe I didn't go long enough. I was going to go to lowes this morning and see if I can find threaded rod with the same thread as the spark plug. Is this a conventional thread? Maybe 5/8 - 18?

Thanks for the help fellas. It doesn't sound like I am missing anything obvious. Usually I have the engine apart to degree a cam so I never had to do it this way before.

BT

bring a plug with you to compare is prob a 14 mm metric but that is the way I have done it

14mm it is klaw, took me a while but I figured it out. I ended up making a whole new piston stop. I bought a two pack of those things that prevent oil fouled plugs. Bought a couple lawn mower wheel axles. Drilled and tapped one of the anti fouling things for 3/8-16. Screwed in the longer axle and ground off the head of the axle. Worked well. Rock solid. Not like the POS that I was trying to use that came with the index set from summit. Anyway, all done. Indexed in at 110 degrees and good to go. Now its time for re assembly, but I think I will wait until a day when the wind chill is above zero.... brrrrrr.

Thanks again for the help.

BT

BT, can you post a pic of your new "tool" ??

great the tools you build your self are ussually the best