How far in does the timing pin need to go in before it is "IN" it goes in and out maybe 50 thousandths of an inch. is this set or is that just the distance between the pin and gear face? judgint the valvetrain it is at TDC on #1


wayne

Any help is greatly appreciated, i am in the middle of valve adjustment as we speak

 

.050" is about what it moves till it hits the gear face. I should move more like a 1/2" when the pin is lined up with the hole in the cam shaft.

Just make sure you pull it back out after you find TDC so you don't forget and break it off turning the engine over.

 

Completely remove the timing pin and look at the end of it. You should see a little nub about 1/8" diameter and 1/8" high at the end. That little nub fits into a hole in the gear. It will make a distinct pop or seating noise when its actually in there. The timing pin goes in quite a ways. Keep in mind the gear turns only 1 time for every 2 crank revolutions so if you're 360 out, you won't feel any hole in the gear for the pin at all.

I know the problem you're having because I have been there. I painted a mark on the timing gear so I know when it seats all the way. The other thing you can do to help is paint a mark on the crank shaft pulley to help. For valve adjustments absolute TDC is not necessary though. Absolute TDC is really important for pump timing "by the book".

 

if you are trying to find tdc by the valves on #1 you are 360 degrees off.
mark the pulley and turn it one whole revolution slow down when you are close, you should feel a nice firm click. if you think you might be there try turning the motor from the alternator. if it doesn't move, the pin is in.
always remove the pin once you find TDC it is really easy to forget later.