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?

John

Pull the coil wire. Use the starter to get it close and then squeeze the
fan belt while turning the fan or alternator to get it dead on the mark or
put a socket and long rachet on the center front bolt/nut of the crank.

--
John
'69 Mach 1 390 Toploader Acapulco Blue
ThunderSnake #59

"Joe" <lanser1996@joltmail.net> wrote in message
news:1128866745.723593.219730@f14g2000cwb.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?
>

66 6F HCS

"John" <mooresjc@chartermi.removethisandonedot.net> wrote
> put a socket and long rachet on the center front bolt/nut of the crank.

This is a PITA to do with the spark plugs still in the heads.
--
Scott W.
'66 HCS Mustang 289
'68 Ranchero 500 302
'69 Mustang Sportsroof 351W
ThunderSnake #57
http://home.comcast.net/~vanguard92/

John

"66 6F HCS" <69ta_mustang@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:ctCdnUBTboIV4dTeRVn-qQ@comcast.com...
>
> "John" <mooresjc@chartermi.removethisandonedot.net> wrote
>> put a socket and long rachet on the center front bolt/nut of the crank.
>
> This is a PITA to do with the spark plugs still in the heads.

Yep, that's why you use starter to get close. Hopefully, REAL close. I
seem to remember using two screwdivers on the starter relay (?) to do it
while looking at the crank and the timing marks. Right?
--
John
'69 Mach 1 390 Toploader Acapulco Blue
ThunderSnake #59

Nosey

John wrote:
> "66 6F HCS" <69ta_mustang@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:ctCdnUBTboIV4dTeRVn-qQ@comcast.com...
>>
>> "John" <mooresjc@chartermi.removethisandonedot.net> wrote
>>> put a socket and long rachet on the center front bolt/nut of the
>>> crank.
>>
>> This is a PITA to do with the spark plugs still in the heads.
>
> Yep, that's why you use starter to get close. Hopefully, REAL close.
> I seem to remember using two screwdivers on the starter relay (?) to
> do it while looking at the crank and the timing marks. Right?

You only need one. Cross the battery feed with the closest small post on the
solenoid and the starter will "spark" to life.
--
Ken
ThunderSnake #51

John

"Nosey" <kfrei43@removethis.hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:b8j2f.153$BZ5.13@newssvr13.news.prodigy.com...
> John wrote:
>> "66 6F HCS" <69ta_mustang@comcast.net> wrote in message
>> news:ctCdnUBTboIV4dTeRVn-qQ@comcast.com...
>>>
>>> "John" <mooresjc@chartermi.removethisandonedot.net> wrote
>>>> put a socket and long rachet on the center front bolt/nut of the
>>>> crank.
>>>
>>> This is a PITA to do with the spark plugs still in the heads.
>>
>> Yep, that's why you use starter to get close. Hopefully, REAL close.
>> I seem to remember using two screwdivers on the starter relay (?) to
>> do it while looking at the crank and the timing marks. Right?
>
> You only need one. Cross the battery feed with the closest small post on
> the solenoid and the starter will "spark" to life.

Oh yeah, thanks. It's been a while since I done that.

--
John
'69 Mach 1 390 Toploader Acapulco Blue
ThunderSnake #59

geewhiz

Nosey wrote:
>
> John wrote:
> > "66 6F HCS" <69ta_mustang@comcast.net> wrote in message
> > news:ctCdnUBTboIV4dTeRVn-qQ@comcast.com...
> >>
> >> "John" <mooresjc@chartermi.removethisandonedot.net> wrote
> >>> put a socket and long rachet on the center front bolt/nut of the
> >>> crank.
> >>
> >> This is a PITA to do with the spark plugs still in the heads.
> >
> > Yep, that's why you use starter to get close. Hopefully, REAL close.
> > I seem to remember using two screwdivers on the starter relay (?) to
> > do it while looking at the crank and the timing marks. Right?
>
> You only need one. Cross the battery feed with the closest small post on the
> solenoid and the starter will "spark" to life.
> --
> Ken
> ThunderSnake #51

This only works if the relay is wired with the hot battery cable next to
the "S" terminal on the relay. Basically, you apply battery voltage to
the "S" terminal, and it will crank over. I always like to use a remote
starter button from a tune-up kit...sparks make me jumpy, and you'll end
up ruining a good screwdriver.

As an aside, the insurance industry "convinced" Ford to remove the "I"
12v ignition cranking bypass from the relay, as it was too easy to
hotwire Fords with that handy ignition wire right next to the battery.

Gerard
TS 14
--
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