F-body driver

Hello guys
I'm timing my 305 TPI so I am in trouble finding TDC on the compression stroke
How can I manually rotate the damper in order to let it match with the timing tab? I got a long torque wrench, could I use it? If yes, hat size is the main crank bolt?
I saw many people turning the engine with the starter, but it is hard in that way. What can I do?

92RS_Ttop

iTrader: (3)

Yes, you can turn the crank using a long breaker bar and a socket on the crank bolt. I've done it quite a bit. I think mine took a 5/8" or 3/4" socket. Been a while so I'm not sure.

To find TDC, I find it easiest to remove the #1 spark plug and the valve cover on that head. Turn the crank till you see the #1 intake valve open, then close. It's the 2nd rocker arm from the front of the engine. Once it's closed, keep turning the crank slowly till you can see the piston rise up to the top in the bore through the spark plug hole. I usually stick a finger(feel)or a small Popsicle stick(pops out)in the hole to tell me when I'm getting close. Then I just line up the timing mark on the balancer with 0 on the timing tab. That assumes you have the correctly matched tab and balancer mark though.

F-body driver

Thank you for your fast reply!
I'm worried of breaking the 5/8 bolt on the crankshaft. Do you think I could rotate the crank with 7 spark plugs installed and all the belts holding alternator,water pump etc?

2005Impalla

Pull all 8 plugs out it will make it easer to turn. Put your finger on number 1 cylinder and turn motor tell you feel air pressure try to blow your finger out. I would use a ratchet for this. Once you feel air pressure you are on the compression stroke and near TDC. Look at your damper and line it up with your pointer for the damper. It is easer to do this by having some one bump the motor over for you or with a remote starter but a ratchet will work. I turned my motor over with a ratchet and 7 of the plugs in the motor the other day. It did make me a little worried but the bolt did not break so it can be done. I think it was a 5/8 bolt.

AlkyIROC

As just mentioned, pull all 8 plugs out. This will eliminate the compression and you can bar the engine over by the crank bolt a lot easier. With the plugs in, you risk overtightening or stripping the crank bolt.

F-body driver

Since the rear plugs are a pain in the a$$ to pull,,will it be good with 6 plugs out and 2 in too?

Night rider327

iTrader: (13)

With a stock compression engine, all 8 plugs in, it should only take 50 ft lbs of torque to turn engine over. The crank damper bolt torques to 65 ft lbs during install. You will be fine.

BTW.. It's a 5/8" wrench head on the bolt.

AlkyIROC

How old are the spark plugs? They probably need replacing anyway.

F-body driver

They have 400 miles, replaced in 2011!

92RS_Ttop

iTrader: (3)

Just pulling 6 plugs is fine. It'll still make it easier to turn over. The more you can pull, the easier it will be.

One thing no one has mentioned that I just thought of - if you have a manual trans, set the ebrake and put the trans in neutral. Otherwise, you'll be fighting the clutch and the entire drivetrain as well as the compression in the engine.

F-body driver

Thank you a lot guys. I set the car at TDC in compression stroke using my starter!
i think a remote starter makes this job WAY easier!