No 1 Piston relation to timing marks

[Don]

Double checking timing marks on 37 engine and no 1 piston is not at tdc,is this correct,???Was thinking timing marks lined up meant tdc of no 1 but looks like it's almost down to btm.no way can it be 180 out and still have marks line up!!!!same thing..

[Russ/40]

Keep in mind there are two crankshaft rotations for one camshaft rotation. SO, timeing marks can be in line but not TDC of compression stroke.

[flatjack9]

When the timing marks are aligned, #1 and #6 will be at TDC.

[flatjack9]

Is it a press on cam timing gear?

[rotorwrench]

The crank pulley is keyed so it should be in time. Cam gears can slip sometimes if they press on and valves get stuck. The timing mark is set to an advanced position to it's not at TDC but it's not far from it when #1 is on the compression stoke on 8BA engines.

[Mart]

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Have to check - you looking at the right no1 cylinder? It's the furthest forward on the US passenger side. It isn't actually the furthest forward cylinder in the block.

Mart.

[Jack E/NJ]

Exactly. You may be looking at #1 the logical way, not the Ford way. 8^) Jack E/NJ

[Ken/Alabama]

Originally Posted by Mart

Have to check - you looking at the right no1 cylinder? It's the furthest forward on the US passenger side. It isn't actually the furthest forward cylinder in the block.

Mart.

Like you said,#1 is on the pass side front but it's actually the 2nd cylinder from the front of the block.

[Hoop]

There's a little confusion about which "timing marks" we're talking about ... for a couple of us. Don should clarify what he's looking at.

[George/Maine]

I don't think there should be any marks on pulley.
My guess some one put marks on # 5 using TDC.
If it runs time using #5 Move to run best when running to take up gear slop.

[Jack E/NJ]

So that must mean #5 is on the driver side front but it's actually the 1st cylinder from the front of the block! Except in the UK etc . No wonder folks get confused by the Ford way. Jack E/NJ

[Bored&Stroked]

I'm not aware of any factory timing marks - can somebody correct me if I am wrong? If so, I've never seen them - up until the later 49-53 engines.

Also, if the marks were done correctly (for the #1 cylinder) - they will always line up at TDC . . . as there are TWO TDC events (compression and the end of the exhaust stroke). Obviously the valves and ignition will only be in the correct "fire" location once every other crankshaft rotation.

If you have the head off (which you must), then you might consider making your own pointer and mark on the pulley - so you know for sure that it is correct. This is what I do on all my 32 - 48 engines.

If you don't have a dial-indicator and magnetic base, then you can use the 'Dead Stop' method - which is actually the most accurate.

Good luck,
B&S

[Jack E/NJ]

Don seems to be referring to the gear dot marks. And yes, I also paint my own timing light marks on the crank pulley and on a timing cover bolt head to work when the logical #1 is at TDC so I can actually see what's going on when it's running. I suppose I coulda done it to work the Ford way too but I couldn't see the logic in it. 8^) Jack E/NJ

[Hoop]

( ... see what I mean?)

[Don]

Still don't know if I'm correct,timing cover off ,dots line upon cam gear and crank gear,passenger side front piston is down!!!!cam gear is bolt on so will only fit one way,no way it can be out180*.remove cam gear turn crank 180 then dotsdont line up,what am I doing wrong if no 1 piston is supposed to be at tdc,,,did put no 1 at top and 2&3 were equal to top but dots were not togeather

[Greg58]

I've never thought about checking the piston position with the timing marks aligned, the main concern for me is, are the valves closed on the compression stroke.

[Hoop]

.... more I think about it, the wronger I am.

[Don]

Haven't changed anything if I just rotate crank 360*'. think post 3 was what I was looking for,at some point marks line up on gears and no 1 should be tdc

[George/Maine]

with the bolt on type and marks lined up.
When turning crank coming up to TDC the intake opens, if not turn again.
If gear made wrong ,what you want is intake opens TDC

[Jack E/NJ]

George/Maine>>>If gear made wrong>>>

You meant if the dot(s) dotted wrong---right? 8^)

If Ford#1 is at BDC with the dots aligned, then rotating the crank 180 degrees should bring Ford#1 to TDC and the dots misaligned by 90 or 270 degrees---I think maybe. So either the cam gear dotter or the crank gear dotter screwed up---I think maybe.

So Don, where'd you get the cam gear and crank so we know who to blame?

Jack E/NJ