How do you find tdc on a 1987 Ford F-150?

Answer 1

to find tdc is not hard

first remove spark plugs so you can turn engine over by hand

next get a long screwdriver that will fit thru spark plug hole, this needs to be rally long so it will not dissappear down the spark plug hole

then using number 1 piston ,insert long screw driver in sparkplug hole ,gently until it rests on top of piston

now manuelly with igntion off,and key removed, turn over engine until timing mark on harmonic balance is showing at pointer.

while doing this you need to watch to see if screw driver is going up or down,as the timing marks will cycle twiceon every revolution of the engine

if the screwdrive is down , tuen engine again until timing mark again appears at pointer,and screwdriver comes up.this is then TDC

you can then remove distributor cap to line up rotor button to proper place for tdc on the number one piston

PS: helps if 2 people are doing this. it is hard to watch screwdriver movement while watching timing marks.