Dave, its not that hard. To set the timing correctly for your car at
true top dead center follow this.
Take an old spark plug, knock out the electrode, and weld in a bolt,
with rounded head. The length of the bolt is between 1" to 1.5"
depending on your compression ratio. This new plug is used as an piston stop.
Screw the new plug into #1 spark plug hole, with the other plugs out of
the engine. Turn the engine over by hand, not with the starter, until
the piston hits the piston stop plug. Mark this point on the crank,
with a scratch awl and any reference point such as the timing mark on
the front of the timing chain cover.
Turn the engine over by hand, in the other direction, and mark this
point on the crank with a scratch awl.
Half way in between is top dead center. This will be on the original
mark or near the factory setting. You can use a cold chisel to mark
this point. It may be 0-5 degrees off from the factory setting.
I then apply a stick on timing tape, after cleaning the crank of rust
and oil.
You now have true top dead center and the tape will give you accurate
readings with an old or new timing gun.
Most important, is that you really have an accurate top dead center.
Its also cheap.
Good Luck
Larry
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