Two Questions - 3.5 V8

**101RRS** · 2nd January 2011, 07:41 PM

Two questions related to my 3.5 V8.

1. I ripped out my dizzy today trying to find a nut that had fallen down behind it. Foolishly I forgot to note which cylinder the rotor button was pointing to so when I put it back in I am going to have to do a full setup from scratch. So with everything else on the engine in place is there an easy way to determine if I have No1 cylinder on the compression stroke vs exhaust stroke at TDC. I guess I could pull No1 spark plug out a feel the compression but as I am doing this myself in the 101 I will not realistically be able to turn the engine with one hand and put a finger over the sparkplug hole. So is there another way to determine TDC on compression?

2. I broke my thermostat housing a while back and had it welded up but the repairer forgot to take out the aftermarket temp sender and cooked it. As the aftermarket gauge is almost impossible to get out without dismantling my heater and other bits, I just put in another sender, but it has the wrong resistance for the gauge and reads 60 degrees instead of the normal 80-90 degrees at normal engine operating temperature. Is there an easy way to work out what resistance sender I need? If not, to get the gauge to read more accurately would I need a sender with more or less resistance than the one I have. I have a TM2 Combo that measures the temp of metal in one of the heads but I would also like to know what is happening with the water temperature.

Thanks

Garry

**bee utey** · 2nd January 2011, 07:58 PM

As for 1. a length of heater hose or similar, apply to the plug hole and blow in by mouth at TDC. If it holds pressure its on the firing stroke, if not its 1 turn out. If you rock the engine a little either side of TDC it should still hold pressure on the firing stroke.
For 2. visit an auto shop with a range of senders, if they have a catalogue with specs you might have some luck.

**400HPONGAS** · 2nd January 2011, 08:22 PM

Why not make up a remote starter switch ? say 10 meters of 6mm wire with a spring loaded starter button in the middle , small aligator clip onto battery Positive and starter terminal at starter motor . With thumb over no 1 spark plug hole , just give it 1 second burst till it blows your finger off , then look to the harmonic balancer and bar over/back to line up TDC mark .

**101RRS** · 10th January 2011, 12:44 PM

Well you cannot get your finger or thumb over the spark plug hole - mainly due to having to go in from the side and a little below the engine on the 101 rather from the top like most other configurations. I made up a crank handle to turn the engine over but without being easily being able to tell what the compression is doing is of not use.

So - I have a one in two chance of having the engine on the compression stroke when I set it on TDC - not bad odds

.

Now if I actually have it set up on the exhaust stroke it will be obvious when I go to time the engine (either wont run or barely run) but is there any damage that will be done.

If no issues - this will be simplest and easiest in my situation.

Garry

**bee utey** · 10th January 2011, 09:27 PM

Can't get a hose to no 1 plug hole? I have an old spark plug converted to a hose connector. Easy to make and then you can blow down a hose you connect after the adaptor is fitted. Or can you lift a rocker cover? Anyway if you are 180 degrees out it will only pop and bang a bit. No big risk.

**101RRS** · 10th January 2011, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by bee utey

Can't get a hose to no 1 plug hole? I have an old spark plug converted to a hose connector. Easy to make and then you can blow down a hose you connect after the adaptor is fitted. Or can you lift a rocker cover? Anyway if you are 180 degrees out it will only pop and bang a bit. No big risk.

Thought about all that (due to body work it is not easy to remove the rocker cover) and the switch that 400HPONGAS suggested but would take time to take out a spark plug centre. It literally takes about 5 minutes to take out the dizzy and to put it back in so if there is not risk of damage I will do that - 1 in 2 chance of getting it right first time

.

Thanks

Garry

**cockie55** · 10th January 2011, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by bee utey

......I have an old spark plug converted to a hose connector.....

....uuuummmmuuummmm...

**Blknight.aus** · 10th January 2011, 11:28 PM

grab a screwdriver with a 3-5 inch throw on it. when it lifts and stops thats TDC. To check if its on intake or power simply put a piece of garden hose over the plug hole and blow. if you cant you're on power if you can your ending exhasut and starting intake.

**bee utey** · 11th January 2011, 08:17 AM

Originally Posted by cockie55

....uuuummmmuuummmm...

Hose connector spark plug tool fits my compression tester with long hose, also gets used for changing valve stem seals on V8's. Regularly used.

**Bulldog** · 11th January 2011, 10:00 AM

I just remove plug no. 1, then crank for a second. Check the harmonic balancer for close to top. If not, try again. If so, manually turn it closer if needed. Stick a long screwdriver in no. 1 hole to see if its up or down.

Pretty much as described above...

Thread: Two Questions - 3.5 V8

Thread Tools

Two Questions - 3.5 V8

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions