Topic: Finding TDC with piston stop.

[Dimitri13]

So I've made my piston stop out of the typical hollowed out spark plug and bolt. I can get the first reading fine (by rotating the engine forwards), but rotating the engine in reverse to find the second reading is proving difficult. The alternator bolt just comes loose.

The engine isn't in the frame, it's on a bench. I don't plan on putting it in the frame until everything is all set and buttoned up.

How am I supposed to turn the engine in reverse?

p.s. Is anyone interested in a how-to video on degreeing the cam? I know there's a bunch out there, but they're all pretty much for cars/V8s, and I think one done with our bikes would make it a bit easier to follow instructions.

[Vincent P]

I use the large 22mm bolt on the points side to rotate the engine slowly back.

[martin99]

Just do that alternator bolt up nice and tight so it doesn't undo. Put it in gear, find something to jam the final drive sprocket with.

Whatever you do, don't put any weight on that timing side nut.

[Dimitri13]

Okay I ended up hitting with my air impact hammer.

Now my next question is, which way do I face the degree wheel? Outwards so it can be read from the left side of the engine, or inwards, so it can be read from the right side of the engine?

[bwaller]

Which ever direction suits you man.

[Dimitri13]

So it doesn't matter? I remember searching for threads about degreeing the cam, and I think one of them mentioned to put it facing inwards so you can read it from the opposite side of the engine for some reason?

[bwaller]

The bigger the wheel the more accurate you'll be, plus use a long handle to turn the engine. (I welded an extension on a breaker bar) It'll be more obvious when you're trying to turn in small increments.

Once you find true TDC make sure the wheel is solidly mounted as well as the pointer. Avoid "flimsy" that can allow accidental movement once you're underway.

[iron_worker]

I believe most degree wheels have markings going from 0 to 360 in the clockwise direction as well as the counter clockwise direction so you can really set it up whichever way works for you.

IW

[Dimitri13]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Unfortunately all I have is the 6" wheel from MotionPro (purchased it with the adjustable sprocket), and all the bigger wheels on the island are crazy expensive, like $80+. No way I'm spending that much for a one-time use tool.

The wheel is locked in there good with several washers acting as spacers, and I torqued it down pretty good with my impact hammer. It's not going anywhere. My pointer is pretty solid, and I flipped the degree wheel outwards so I can see it better. And it only has it going in one direction anyway.



I have a long breaker bar I can use to turn the engine. Thankfully there's no load on anything, so I'm turning JUST the crank and cam, and can get precise movement without much effort.

[Dimitri13]

I'm following the webcam cam degreeing guide, but I'm curious as to when I should install the points?