Homemade TDC Indicator for Adjusting Valves
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I used an old distributor cap to make a TDC indicator for adjusting valves. Now it’s a snap to quickly and easily locate TDC for each cylinder when you perform this task. (Important, as you know, to get the adjustments done while the engine is still hot!)
1. Take an old distributor cap for your vehicle and carefully cut the top half off. I first marked the cut by wrapping masking tape around the outside diameter of the cap, then used a hacksaw to carefully cut along the edge of the tape. Discard the TOP half of the cap.
2. Using the BOTTOM half of the cap, take a Q-Tip and some white paint and make “dots” along the top of the cut where each of the 4, 6, or 8 terminals “used to be”. I used Kilz as it dries quickly and sticks to just about anything.
3. As a final production step, pull out your shop manual and determine the firing order and rotational direction of your distributor. Take a Sharpie or other brand of fine-tip permanent marker and number the “white dots” you made in #2 according to the correct starting position 1 and firing sequence. Now you’re done.
When it comes time to adjust your valves, pop off your existing distributor cap and set your new “TDC indicator” in place. It’s a simple matter to bump the starter until the rotor lines up perfectly with each cylinder’s firing position / TDC mark.
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I can see how this works. Excellent.
I am in search of some information regarding the compression difference on a 392 international with stock build, compared to changing the heads out with those from a 345 ci motor?
I am trying to do some foot work for someone who I am blessed enough to have helping me with some repair I cannot afford so therefore am attempting to make repair enough to continue working my truck.
I have a tree service and the economy has tanked to the point I am up against other bids from competitors who may own nothing more than a p/u and chain saw, I on the other hand have my 10 ton International tree truck along with chipper stump grinder and enough power tools to be considered a full service tree care company.
If my trouble is not some thrifty nickel tree co. it’s a customer who cant really afford a more fair tree industry rate, so I am therefore forced to do work sometimes out of pity for not much more than gas money, maintenance cost to upkeep my equipment has not been seen if at all on a regular basis for the last 3 to 5 years and it is showing with my equipment.
So I have gone to similar tactics as my customers and nearly begging for help to continue doing all that I know at this point of Tree Service.
One head for sure on my 392 is in real poor shape, I have been gifted from o friend and fellow tree service owner/operator the heads off his 1 ton dump truck that has a 345 motor in it.
So I am praying to be able to just replace the bad head for what I hope is a better condition head from the 345, without doing and valve work just bolting up and keep working to maintain my roof over my head.
A concern is the compression increase with the smaller displaced head on my slightly tired 392 motor.
Any free professional advice or your honest opinion you could care to share would be greatly respected and I would be very grateful for any time you have with information to spare?
Sincerely grateful David Breaux my cell is 208-392-5444 my email rtistree@netzero.net my mechanic who is doing the work is Harvey at 208-258-0216 I am not sure of any email for him but will print off the information you have provided here and do thank you for that regardless of anything further you may or not have time for.
Again Sincerely grateful David Breaux
For timing the IH SV-8 engines (266, 304, 345 & 392) set timing off of #8 cylinder, that is the aft cylinder on the right bank. Firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.
SV-8 Left bank cylinders are 1-3-5-7 from front-to-back.
SV-8 Right side cylinders are 2-4-6-8 from front-to-back.
If you are working on the IHC MV Series engines (MV-404 or MV-446) then set timing off of cylinder #1, that is the forward cylinder on the right bank. Firing order is 1-2-7-3-4-5-6-8.
MV-8 Left bank cylinders are 2-4-6-8 from front-to-back.
MV-8 Right side cylinders are 1-3-5-7 from front-to-back.
The MV Series engines are typically installed in Loadstars starting in 1975, have electronic ignition, and continued in the S-Series trucks into the 1980′s.
It is typical for the MV-404 to be bored to MV-446 dimensions when it is pulled for major overhaul.
Perhaps if you made the marks inside BEFORE you cut the top off they’d be lined up even better. : )
I once made just a hole in the cap so I could watch the rotor as it was moving to check that the ‘rotor phasing’ was correct. Helps to make sure the rotor is actually pointing at the terminal when it fires. Had to move the cap slightly on one.