Starting my engine build

[Mrturner1]

And the opposite side

[Mrturner1]

I'm not sure where the SPID is so some guidance there would be awesome. I wanna know what this truck came with.

[davepl]

Unless you find the build sheet, it might list a major option or two on the Protecto Plate, but the SPID has much more complete info.

My build sheet was stuck to the front of the bed and survived 40 years of weather, mostly. Crazy that it did. Others are on the fuel tank or under the seat, etc.

[Mrturner1]

Gettin there all bolted down to the right torque

[Mrturner1]

Painted the water pump

[Mrturner1]

Next thing is pushrods and rocker arms. This part seems intimidating but I have some reading material

[Mrturner1]

Rockers

[tcrist]

Suggestion,

While it is out in the open, you might want to paint / fill in the timing mark on the harmonic balancer to make timing it just a bit easier. Something like white paint in the groove should work just fine.

Maybe I just cant see it very well, but where is your timing tab?

[Mrturner1]

Originally Posted by tcrist

Suggestion,

While it is out in the open, you might want to paint / fill in the timing mark on the harmonic balancer to make timing it just a bit easier. Something like white paint in the groove should work just fine.

Maybe I just cant see it very well, but where is your timing tab?

Didn't put it on yet but I got one that bolts on with two of the timing cover bolts.

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by Mrturner1

Didn't put it on yet but I got one that bolts on with two of the timing cover bolts.

You should have installed it when the head was off so you could get it set with tdc #1.

[Captainfab]

If you haven't already, you will need to verify that the timing tab and balancer are correct for each other and that 0 is actually 0 when #1 piston is at exactly TDC.

[Mrturner1]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

You should have installed it when the head was off so you could get it set with tdc #1.

Crap...

[swamp rat]

Let me ask, did you rotate the engine at all after the timing chain /gear install? they were properly aligned correct? if they were properly aligned in install and you did not rotate the crank then you should be pretty close.

So if the timing tab and the mark on the balancer are within a few degrees of each other and are correct for the engine then its probably still on or close to TDC.

[Grumpy old man]

Originally Posted by Mrturner1

Crap...

Having fun yet ? Do yourself a favor and hit your local hardware store and buy all new hardware for the remainder of your install ...You've gone this far no reason not to use new if you can .

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by Mrturner1

Crap...

Still easy to check with a sparkplug style piston stop.
Buy (10 bucks) or make one.

With it on the engine stand, now is the best time to get your tab/balancer accurate.

A link for you on tdc and a piston stop.
http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w...op_dead_center

[Mrturner1]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

Let me ask, did you rotate the engine at all after the timing chain /gear install? they were properly aligned correct? if they were properly aligned in install and you did not rotate the crank then you should be pretty close.

So if the timing tab and the mark on the balancer are within a few degrees of each other and are correct for the engine then its probably still on or close to TDC.

It did rotate a little when I was tightening the balancer bolt dangit

[Mrturner1]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Having fun yet ? Do yourself a favor and hit your local hardware store and buy all new hardware for the remainder of your install ...You've gone this far no reason not to use new if you can .

Yes tons! lol I went to Napa for some new head bolts and a hardware store for a couple others.

[toolboxchev]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Still easy to check with a sparkplug style piston stop.
Buy (10 bucks) or make one.

With it on the engine stand, now is the best time to get your tab/balancer accurate.

A link for you on tdc and a piston stop.
http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w...op_dead_center

X2 on that part for crankshaft coalition. Check, check and double check...will get you where you need to be.

[swamp rat]

Ok if you dont know how to use a piston stop, install balancer, screw stop into #1 cylinder, rotate clockwise slowly until piston contacts the stop, using the zero on the timing tab put a mark on the balancer, use some tape and a pin, now rotate in reverse and repeat, split the difference for top dead center on number one cylinder, now your going to have to check if your on the compression stroke or the exhaust stroke, pull the piston stup and put the pushrods into number one intake and exhaust , are they the same high or is one higher? If the same its tdc

[davepl]

When using the piston stop, the easiest way to remember it is if you're at TDC, it'll "stop" the same number of degrees each side of 0. So if it stops at 8 deg BTDC rotating it one way, it should be at 8 deg ATDC the other way. And if not, you then adjust the indicator to read the middle of where those two were.

[Mrturner1]

Originally Posted by Sklptrljay

Do it.......you'll have fun.....scream.....spend way more than you planned.....scream.......bleed.......go to the auto store 9000 times.......it'll be fun!

THIS haha

[Mrturner1]

I think I got a bit overwhelmed thinking it was a much bigger mistake. Did a bunch of reading and I'm pretty confident about this step now. Even if my timing tab isn't the correct one (which I'll know soon) I can figure it out and make mine work just fine.

[toolboxchev]

Yea, its not that hard to figure out TDC. Once you have all the brainy stuff down its time to do it and verify your work.

Simple, boil it down and get to the point! I did a lot of reading on the net when doing mine. Came up with 76 cc heads, a small cam, and the hottest ignition I could find to burn regular pump gas.

How do you know when you have chinese parts in your American Made vehicle?




















It goes KNock Ping when you shut it off!

[Mrturner1]

So for anybody who's made their own piston stop, what kinds of things did you make them out of? It's Sunday so no parts store, and I was wanting to tinker a bit.

Also, would it be counterproductive to install pushrods and rockers right now?

[geezer#99]

Use an old sparkplug.
Knock the porcelain and electrode out, tap it for a bolt to screw in it, put a lock nut on it and experiment with the depth.
You can install the pushrods and rockers loosely. You can't set them until you have your tab figured out and balancer on.