Setting Cylinder 1 to Ignition Top Dead Center (TDC)

In a four-stroke engine, the piston reaches top dead center (TDC) twice: the first time at ignition of the compressed air/fuel mixture, and the second time after the exhaust stroke, at the start of the intake stroke. For most adjustment work, the ignition TDC of cylinder 1 is required.

PROCEDURE

4-cylinder and 5-cylinder engines: remove the cover separating the breaker points from the distributor, the distributor rotor and the protective cover. Reinstall the rotor and turn the engine until the rotor contact is positioned above the small mark on the edge of the distributor housing. TDC is now located.

For greater accuracy, it may be necessary to turn the crankshaft slightly in one direction or the other until the "O" mark on the flywheel appears at the edge of the inspection opening in the transmission housing.

6-cylinder engine: remove the timing belt covers on the right and left sides (described later in this chapter).

Turn the crankshaft until both holes in the locking plates on both camshaft drive gears are aligned inward, facing each other (in one line).

Turn the crankshaft slightly in one direction or the other until the "O" mark on the flywheel appears at the edge of the inspection hole in the transmission housing cover.