Rotate 350 «backwards»

[13matsc]

I bought myself a TDC tool for verifying the TDC as I am working on setting the timing.

It specifies to install the tool in sparkplug hole number one and rotate the engine clockwise til the piston touches the tool. Next step is to rotate the engine counter clockwise til the piston again touches the tool.

That’s when the problem occurs. How does one rotate the engine without unscrewing the bolt on the harmonic balancer? Tried by hand and by dragging on the belts.

 

[legopnuematic]

Pop the inspection cover off and use the flex plate/flywheel.

Removing the other seven spark plugs will help too as you don’t have to push against compression.

 

[13matsc]

Pop the inspection cover off and use the flex plate/flywheel.

Removing the other seven spark plugs will help too as you don’t have to push against compression.

Thanks. Just painted the cover and it will get damaged when removing again, but this is probably the best solution.

All the plugs are out fyi.

 

[Sad Sack]

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Get a friend for top or bottom duties.
I have never needed a tool or to go counterclockwise to find top dead center, always used my thumb with a friend, remote starter switch or a compression gauge on #1.

 

[SquareRoot]

Get a friend for top or bottom duties.

 

[YakkoWarner]

If it is a manual you could just put it in a forward gear (with the plugs out) and push the truck backwards. I've done that on the British cars which don't have an inspection cover. Unless your engine is REALLY stiff (or still in gear!), I'd expect the engine to turn with no plugs before the harmonic balancer bolt starts to unthread.

 

[13matsc]

If it is a manual you could just put it in a forward gear (with the plugs out) and push the truck backwards. I've done that on the British cars which don't have an inspection cover. Unless your engine is REALLY stiff (or still in gear!), I'd expect the engine to turn with no plugs before the harmonic balancer bolt starts to unthread.

That’s a good tip! It’s an automatic unfortunately.

I would expect so too, but that was not the case. Tried to unbolt it completely to put threadlocker on it, but was afraid it would snap…

 

[75gmck25]

Take off the outermost belt on the crankshaft pulley, and use a rubber strap wrench to turn the pulley. It gives you good leverage from the diameter of the pulley combined with the handle on the wrench.

The set I have has three sizes of strap wrench, and they are very useful. The rubber strap does not scratch, so you can use it on metal, PVC, etc.

 

[Moodyalaskan]

In the past I have used a rag to pad a pipe wrench teeth's and tightened the wrench onto the bottom of the crank pulley. Tighten the wrench with the adjustable side on the outside of the pulley and the handle side inside. Then you can use the handle as a lever to rotate the crank.

 

[Bextreme04]

I have never needed a tool or to go counterclockwise to find top dead center, always used my thumb with a friend, remote starter switch or a compression gauge on #1.

You definitely need a tool if it is a fresh build and you are trying to find MECHANICAL TDC to get an accurate mark on the harmonic balancer. If you are just trying to make sure that you are on #1 TDC for something like aligning the distributor, then you shouldn't ever need one.

The way to determine precise mechanical TDC with heads installed is to use a piston stop, rotate the engine all the way until it hits the stop, mark the harmonic balancer where the pointer is at the stop. Now rotate the engine all the way back counterclockwise until it hits the stop again. Place another mark on the balancer where the pointer is. Make another mark exactly halfway between the two marks and you now have mechanical TDC mark on the harmonic balancer.

 

[cadillac_al]

The tool used to be cheap when I bought mine. How much do they cost now?

 

[Bextreme04]

The tool used to be cheap when I bought mine. How much do they cost now?

Under $10 bucks at most parts stores and amazon. The comp cams one from summit(which is probably made in the same factory on the same assembly line as the amazon ones) is $22.95

 

[Tyger13us]

Just get your self a Flywheel wrench. you will use it more than you think.
AND its the easiest way to turn a flywheel.

 

[xm20k]

This you bolt this to the damper and have at it.

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[Ricko1966]

You will almost never use a flywheel wrench once you figure out that you can put a wrench on a converter bolt and pull the engine over with it. There's 3 so you can always get to one. I wore out my first flywheel turning tool,before I figured this out.