i need to find top dead center book said to use<br />a dial indicator been to 3 auto parts stores<br />they have no clue what that is . is there somthing<br />else i can use ? is there a easy way to find tdc?<br />evinrude 1988 70hp 3cylinder
Depending on what year and model it is, there might be a marking on the flywheel that reads TDC. Remove the spark plugs(helps when rotating engine by hand) and rotate the flywheel so that the TDC mark lines up with the timming pointer.
Well gshock.....in a real pinch, a screw driver can work. Pull the plug outta' No 1 hole. Put a screwdriver in it till it hits the top of the piston. Rotate the flywheel clockwise and watch as the piston pushes the screwdriver outta' the hole. When the screwdriver stops moving out, that's real close to TDC. There is a slight dead spot as the crank tops over and starts down. Check where the timing pointer is. Should be pointing real close to the TDC mark on the flywheel.<br /><br />Another way is to rig your self a piston stop. something you can screw into the spark plug hole and will hit the top of the piston. OMC/BRP make a tool for this. Here's how it works....<br /><br />Move the piston clockwise untill the timing pointer is about an inch past TDC. Screw in the piston stop till it hits the top of the piston and mark this point on the flywheel at the timing pointer. Continue moving the flywheel around till it again hits the piston stop. This should be roughly the same distance from the timing pointer but BTDC. Mark the flywheel here also. Now mark half the distance between the two marks and move the half way mark around to the timing pointer. Losen the timing pointer and move it so it points at the TDC mark on the flywheel and tighten.
I have both types of these tools', personally, I like the simple threaded tool that OMC sold as a special tool. Both tools can quite easily be made by removing the ceramic from a spark plug, and fitting a brass bushing.
