Joe

I have a 1972 Ford 351C and I need to retime the engine because I had
to replace the distributor. To retime it, I need to rotate the
crankshaft to the TDC mark on the damper. Stupid question - what's
the best way to rotate the crankshaft to the TDC mark? Do you use the
starter motor to try to "jump" it to the mark or is there any easier
way?

Ritz

Joe wrote:
> I have a 1972 Ford 351C and I need to retime the engine because I had
> to replace the distributor. To retime it, I need to rotate the
> crankshaft to the TDC mark on the damper. Stupid question - what's
> the best way to rotate the crankshaft to the TDC mark? Do you use the
> starter motor to try to "jump" it to the mark or is there any easier
> way?
>


Use a breaker bar w/socket on the crank pulley bolt. It's a lot easier
if you take the plugs out, but not a requirement. Using the starter
method isn't precise enough, though you could try to get it near the
mark that way and then manually line it up.

Cheers,

Jim Warman

Remove #1 spark plug.... use a remote starter switch to bump the starter
until you feel compression at the open spark plug hole (I stick my finger in
there but watch out for the fan and the belt and such). Once you feel
compression, you can bump the starter to get it close or simply use a socket
and handle on the crank bolt.


"Joe" <lanser1996@joltmail.net> wrote in message
news:1128866721.728938.180930@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
> I have a 1972 Ford 351C and I need to retime the engine because I had
> to replace the distributor. To retime it, I need to rotate the
> crankshaft to the TDC mark on the damper. Stupid question - what's
> the best way to rotate the crankshaft to the TDC mark? Do you use the
> starter motor to try to "jump" it to the mark or is there any easier
> way?
>

Me

The crank bolt is 15/16" Use a socket and a breaker bar. You can remove
number one plug and rotate the engine until you feel compression coming out
of that cylinder. Line up the timing marks, install the distributor. Most
likely, the oil pump drive will not engage, so rotate the engine while
slightly pressing down on the distributor until it engages into the oil pump
drive and seats all the way. Next, rotate the engine until you are once
again at TDC, compression for number one cylinder (may have to go two turns)
.. If you mark the distributor where number one plug is and align the rotor
with that mark, it should be close enough to start.
BE SURE TO REMOVE THE BREAKER BAR FROM THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE BEFORE
ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE. Do not ask me how I know this is important.
Good Luck
Bill

"Joe" <lanser1996@joltmail.net> wrote in message
news:1128866721.728938.180930@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
>I have a 1972 Ford 351C and I need to retime the engine because I had
> to replace the distributor. To retime it, I need to rotate the
> crankshaft to the TDC mark on the damper. Stupid question - what's
> the best way to rotate the crankshaft to the TDC mark? Do you use the
> starter motor to try to "jump" it to the mark or is there any easier
> way?
>