I found an accurate and perhaps easier tool to make is simply a solid rod in
a spark plug. By bring the piston gently up against the plug rod in both
directions, making a mark for each on the flywheel or balancer, and then
splitting the difference, you can find TDC easily.

Peter
"Randy Zimmerman" wrote in message
news:eT4Xb.487111$X%5.293097@pd7tw2no...
Nice little adapter.
When I took aircraft maintenance decades ago we were cautioned to come
up towards TDC from both directions making marks then find the center mark
between. This allows for any bearing clearances in the rod and increases
accuracy at locating TDC.
Randy

"Ted Edwards" wrote in message
...
Ted Edwards wrote:

I just put a write up and photo of a tool to conveniently locate top
dead center of an engine.

OOPS! Forgot the URL:
http://www.metalworking.com/DropBox/...ter_Finder.txt
and
http://www.metalworking.com/DropBox/...ter_Finder.jpg

Ted