TDC How to set To Dead Center ?

To be certain, I think you need to index the TDC on the end of the compression stroke, making sure it's not the exhaust stroke. I think cylinder 4 is TDC on the exhaust stroke at the same time as 1 is on the compression. It's easy to figure out which stroke when the spark plug is removed and you feel pressure on your finger. Timing notches should be visible on the block and with a large notch on the crank sprocket (with the cover off). A timing mark should also be visible under the car on the main pulley. I use chalk, or soapstone, to trace, or rub, the edge of the pulley. The mark reveals itself when it is filled with the chalk so you can see it easier. Wipe the pulley and it's right there. Beyond that, cam alignment should be done with an alignment tool for exactness.

If your plugs are on top, take the 1 cylinder plug out an insert a screwdriver inside of it. turn the cam until the screwdriver is to the last point of coming up. do this slowly because you don't want to be on the down stroke of tdc

Take a piece of wood ie tongue depresor, or long que tips. Remove the no. 1 plug, put the stick in the whole. Now you need to also have set up a breaker bar or a large socket rench to turn your crank. While turning the crank make sure that you are noticing where it goes up to and when it starts to fall. After studying where it goes up to and starts to fall. When the no 1 piston raises to the highest point. Then its at its top dead center. The reason I don't ever use any form of metal device is that it can score or damage the piston wall or the piston. Also make sure you don't use the setting as it is comming down, just when it is at its highest point.

Special note, when you change your timming belt on a 4 cylinder if you don't replace the water pump at the same time. You will be just a litle later.

tepfy