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Technical Degree wheel and timing tape set up

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Hellfish, Sep 29, 2023.

  1. Hellfish
    Joined: Jun 19, 2002
    Posts: 6,764

    Hellfish
    Member

    My balancer does not have timing marks (left), so I got a degree wheel and timing tape, watched some videos, did some reading, etc. I think I have it all figured out getting a wire degree wheel pointer pointed at true TDC and all that. What I need confirmation on is the tape/making permanent marks.

    The wire pointer is not going to be in the same place as the actual permanently-mounted pointer. Once I've found true TDC, can I just mark the balancer where the permanent pointer is? It seems that the initial location of a pointer is arbitrary as long as it doesn't move after the mark is made.
     
  2. Do you know how to find TDC using a piston stop?

    Once you know true TDC using a piston stop; you can install the timing tape with zero at the pointer.
     
  3. Hellfish
    Joined: Jun 19, 2002
    Posts: 6,764

    Hellfish
    Member

    OK. That's what I thought. Thanks.
    Yes, the head is off the block and I will use a dial indicator to get to true TDC, but could use a piston stop
     
  4. CNC-Dude
    Joined: Nov 23, 2007
    Posts: 1,043

    CNC-Dude
    Member

    A piston stop is going to be the most accurate and precise method to find "true TDC"....
     
  5. Oneball
    Joined: Jul 30, 2023
    Posts: 1,490

    Oneball
    Member

    Using a dial gauge and measuring either side of TDC then halving on the degree wheel to get true TDC off the top of the piston is far better than a piston stop in a plug hole.
     
  6. RmK57
    Joined: Dec 31, 2008
    Posts: 3,044

    RmK57
    Member

    Only thing I can add is make sure you have correct timing tape for the diameter balancer your using.
     
  7. The damper has got to be surgically clean too. Sand off any rust and get it clean with lacquer thinner until the rag shows nothing on it. The last one I did was new, but cleaned it with something like 409.

    The tape stuck well, but over time I lost a bit of it. I mark points on the damper face at every 90 degrees with a sharpie, it makes putting a new tape on easier if need be.
     
  8. Kevin Ardinger
    Joined: Aug 31, 2019
    Posts: 1,015

    Kevin Ardinger
    Member

    Just keep in mind, true tdc is not the highest point on the dial indicator as the piston is at that point for quite a while as the rod goes over center. I like the positive stop method. Hit the stop one direction, mark the balancer, then go the opposite direction hit the stop and mark. Half way in between is tdc. Don’t really need a degree wheel.
     
    Oneball, pprather and saltflats like this.
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  10. Bert Kollar
    Joined: Jan 10, 2007
    Posts: 1,261

    Bert Kollar
    Member

    This makes no sense A stop is a stop
     
    pprather and Kevin Ardinger like this.

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