T.D.C. tool

Energy One

Five Five

Well-Known Member
You ever wonder if your at "Top Dead Center" when doing valve adjustments....Well here is a simple tool you can make that screws into the spark plug hole and touches the top of the piston to give you an accurate reading to the thousandth 0.001"

Using an old spark plug I cut off the electrode tip and set the spark plug up on a hydraulic press and pressed out the ceramic element, I was suprised how easy it came out....



I used 3 rubber grommets with 3/8 I.D
.40 cents each



Next I used black silicone to glue the 3-grommets in place.



Last item, slide in the dial indicator, a little twisting action is required as it's a snug fit



Total project investment $1.35 I already had the indicator.

:2thumbs:
"Five"
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Tim

Five Five

Well-Known Member
Here is a picture with a 3/4" tip extension for the dial indicator....i'm thinking a 1" tip extension will do the trick..

 

TCALZ06

Well-Known Member
Great idea!!!!!

How close is your engine to going back together?

I got word today my crank has shipped so I'm getting close
 

Dawgboy

Active Member
Isn't compression a bitch? S&S has a TDC tool for around $25. Made of brass so it doesn't scrore the pistion and has a bore down the center to relieve pressure.

Nice idea though...
 

Five Five

Well-Known Member
Great idea!!!!!

How close is your engine to going back together?

I got word today my crank has shipped so I'm getting close
TCAL....heads are done, cylinders are done bored .010", lowerend new bushings bearings, etc....rebuilt my oil pump...just waiting for my crank to be completed from balancing....should be able to pick it up this friday and start putting it back together....well we both had to do our trannys and motors this year 2010....hopefully we can get some trouble fre miles for 2011

:2thumbs:
"Five"
 

Five Five

Well-Known Member
Isn't compression a bitch?
Nice idea though...
Dawgboy your right......Compression stroke will blow the indicator right out of the holder.....i'm going to drill a bleeder hole in the side of the holder to releive the pressure...

:2thumbs:
"five"
 

Tim

Administrator
Staff member
Founder
Lifetime Supporting Member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
Supporting Member
AWESOME IDEA! And you can pick up a dial indicator from Harbor Freight for $10, just picked one up myself for tuning up my table saw.
 

john sachs

Well-Known Member
Be careful if you're going to turn the motor over with the intake valve adjusted,and the indicator in the plug hole.........broken indicator,and bent valve. :angry:
John
TCALZ,
Talked to Steve yesterday.
 

Five Five

Well-Known Member
Be careful if you're going to turn the motor over with the intake valve adjusted,and the indicator in the plug hole.........broken indicator,and bent valve. :angry:
John
TCALZ,
Talked to Steve yesterday.
Good Point to all who may consider making or using this tool ..... Tool should only be inserted when you are on the compression stroke nearing T.D.C .... (both valves closed)

:2thumbs:
"Five"
 
Top