Need help TDC bring up #1 piston

[72CSTC5]

Okay, here I go again. A while back I had a thread about installing HEI. Well, after scoring around pick and pull yard in a 100+ degree heat in Texas my dumb butt looked on ebay and found a complete new unit for little money. Wasnt worth the aggrevation of looking for a used one. Now I need help on bringing up the #1 piston. I have read on here to pull the plug and put a paper towel piece of paper in there and when it shoots out you are there. Well my dumb question is will it suck itself in on the downstroke of the piston? Dont want to create a mess here for myself. Again, I am KING at bodywork but this mechanic stuff is for the birds but trying to build this truck low buck.
Carlos

[70short/step]

Yes it will suck it in. If you have a buddy to help you just put your finger over the hole of #1 and have him crank it over till your finger gets pushed off. But make sure it is TDC on the timing mark. It may be 180 out. So do it again until the timing mark is up. Good Luck and enjoy the HEI.

[72CSTC5]

Thanks alot 70short. That is what I was thinking. I will see if my girlfriend will help me. I will tell her "stick your finger in this hole!" I am sure she will tell me hell no thinking she will lose a finger. LOL!!

[PanelDeland]

Get yourself a remote starter.I think I gave about $8.00-10.00 for mine.Now I don't have to promise Mrs.Panel the world to get her to help.

[dirtball]

Just make sure that no fingers go into the hole when cranking, just over it.

[71swb4x4]

Right, don't tell her to stick her finger in the hole. If it's on the downstroke it may suck her finger in, she may lose a finger and you may lose a girlfriend.

[Tynee]

Also, as another word of caution, if the carburator is off or the fuel line is disconnected for some reason, the fuel pump will spray gas all over the little lady if you aren't careful. That wouldn't be as disastrous as her losing a finger, but it does make it hard getting help next time you need it. Not that I know from experience, or anything.

[68haywagon]

Roll a piece of paper towel up so it's thick on one end and can't be sucked in, stick it in the spark plug hole, and crank the truck till you see it pop out.That atleast tells you when your on the compression stroke. Then turn the engine from the front until it lines up with the timing marks.

I did this twice since I have owned my truck because no one would help me.

Mike

[BOSS]

another way i have done it is to pull all of the plugs out,get a socket to fit the crank and turn it while your finger is over the hole.you can fell the compression stroke and line it up then.takes a little longer but then you can change all the plugs while you have them out.

[72CSTC5]

Which way do I turn the crank with a sock on the end of the pulley. Clockwise or counterclockwise? Can I actually turn the crank and hold my finger over the hole at the same time?

[71swb4x4]

If you pull all of the plugs you can turn it and hold your finger there. I think you turn it clockwise, but it doesn't matter which way you turn it, when you feel the air coming out you know the piston is going up.

[72CSTC5]

Okay, thanks for the info. Here I go. I will be back shortly to let you guys know how it went. By the way, the girlfriend went shopping so no help there anyways. Said it was too hot and the mosquitoes are out. Damn Texas state birds. They will not leave you alone for a minute!!!!!!

[70short/step]

Another way to find TDC is just pull the valve cover on the drivers side and turn it over by hand until you see the timing mark come up to TDC. If both the valves are closed, you will be @ TDC. the rocker arms will be loose also at this point.