finding #1 TDC on inline 6

[thunder]

I'm trying to sync the ignition and carbs, but am unsure about whether #1 piston is at TDC. I don't have a dial indicator, I was using the screwdriver method. I'm unclear about the 'dead zone', when the screwdriver seems to stop moving up until it starts to move down again. Is TDC where the screwdriver stops its upward travel? Or somewhere in the middle of that range. I beleive right now that I am not synced properly, engine is running rather poorly...... Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: finding #1 TDC on inline 6

Doing it without an indicator is risky. That said, true TDC is in the middle of the dead zone.<br /><br />In theory, if you rock it repeatedly a bit you outta be able to "sence" the middle.<br /><br />Errr to the side of caution though, too much advance is deadly, too little never killed a motor.<br /><br />-W