Hi friends, I'm currently doing the head gasket on my M42. I'm a bit confused about the proper way to set TDC. Everywhere I've searched (and in the Bentley, too), it says to use the flywheel locking pin. That's great, except my engine is on a stand without the flywheel mounted, so I can't use this pin. I know that the woodruff key at the front should be pointed straight up, but I'm not convinced that this visual test will be accurate (without another tool that I don't have). And how do I ensure that the distance between the cam sprockets and the crank sprocket isn't off by a tooth or two when I do this?
Alternatively, should I take the engine off the stand and mount the flywheel before setting TDC? I'm not sure how this would work either, the Pelican guide doesn't say anything about aligning the flywheel to the crank (only the clutch and pressure plate to the flywheel), and the bolt pattern looks symmetric.
Not really sure how to proceed, I'm in a bit over my head. I'd appreciate any advice.
Side note, this engine has almost 270k miles and I still see hone marks on the cylinder walls. No other evidence that it was ever fully rebuilt (though turns out someone swapped an M44 timing case at some point), but I thought that was kinda neat.
Alternatively, should I take the engine off the stand and mount the flywheel before setting TDC? I'm not sure how this would work either, the Pelican guide doesn't say anything about aligning the flywheel to the crank (only the clutch and pressure plate to the flywheel), and the bolt pattern looks symmetric.
Not really sure how to proceed, I'm in a bit over my head. I'd appreciate any advice.
Side note, this engine has almost 270k miles and I still see hone marks on the cylinder walls. No other evidence that it was ever fully rebuilt (though turns out someone swapped an M44 timing case at some point), but I thought that was kinda neat.
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