TR2/3/3A Finding TDC

[RonR]

Folks,

I am helping a friend with his 12275, 12CC/Da Sprite/Midget engine.

The previous owner removed the original crankshaft pulley and replaced it with an aluminum pulley.
The aluminum pulley does not appear to have any indicator for Top Dead Center.

Short of removing the timing chain cover and aligning the marks on the timing gears, what is the best process to accurately get the No. 1 piston at TDC?

I am posting this thread in the Sprite/Midget Forum as well, but having a TR3 and following this forum for years, I know the level of knowledge here can be helpful regardless the car.

Thanks.
Ron

 

[CJD]

You will need a timing wheel...

 

[Mickey Richaud]

This is for an MGB, but basically the same process:

 

[poolboy]

Use a piston stop in cylinder #1...turn the engine crankshaft clockwise until the piston contacts the stop. Make an index mark on the damper aligning it with a fixed immovable pointer
Turn the crankshaft counter clockwise and make another mark on the damper when the piston contacts the piston again
TDC is an equal distance (if any) between those 2 marks

When valves #1 and 2 are fully closed (having previously been set at equal lash) and the established TDC mark on the damper aligns with the fixed pointer that's piston #1 is at TDC on it's COMPRESSION stroke

 

[TFB]

I wonder if it it was standard practice to locate crank pulley key at bdc or 6 0clock when #1 is at TDC,like a TR3.
Tom