Tdc with no viewing ports? Options

[Radmacdaddy]

I'm viewing the great valve adjustment article over at pelican & have my one wheel off the ground to get it just right but I have no viewing ports into my flywheel.

How then can I get the tdc worked out?

I did the straw in the #1 cylinder trick too, put it in & note when it is most pushed out and before it goes back into the chamber... But it still feels like its not just right.

Thought?

[r_towle]

So,
You think you have the valves sorted.
What makes you think you have two cylinders that are not firing?

Take a picture of the motor with the distributor cap in place and all the wires hooked up please.
Lets take a look at two things.
Where is the rotor pointing when you think you are at TDC for cylinder number one....
Where is the number one plug wire in relation to where the rotor is pointing?

Intake valve opens....you suck in air..
Intake valve closes.
Compression stroke happens...piston goes up to TDC
Spark happens
Piston goes down on the power stroke.
Piston starts heading up, exhaust valve opens.
Exhaust valve closes, intake valve starts to open...
4 cycles start all over again.

So, given that.
Look at where the rotor is pointing when the number 1 cylinder intake valve is just opening.
Then rotate the motor through the intake stroke...with the plugs installled, you will feel the power stroke.
Watch the valve on number one
When the Intake valve closes..and you are coming up to the TDC portion of the cycle...show me where the rotor is pointed at that exact time.
Should be near the notch in the distibutor.

Do it again.
Intake valve opens
Stroke goes down (180 degrees of crankshaft rotation)
Stroke goes up (remaining 180 degrees of rotation)
Spark happens...this is when the distributor should have the rotor pointed at the number one cylinder mark...the hash mark on the distributor body.

The distributor is geared, it will only land on the proper plug in question once per all 4 cycles.
Watch the valves to find the TDC part of the cycle...
With the plugs installed, you will feel the pressure build, then release.

Rich
Rich