C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

TDC help?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 20, 2016 | 08:08 PM
  #1  
dgantt's Avatar
dgantt
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 225
Likes: 1
From: hanceville al
Default TDC help?

I bought a TDC tool, the kind that goes in the #1 cylinder. You then rotate the engine clockwise (by hand) until it stops and mark the HB at 0 degrees and then rotate the engine counter clockwise until it stops and mark the HB at 0 degrees. You the split the difference between the two marks and you have your true TDC. Problem I'm having is when I rotate the engine counter clockwise the bolt on the HB loosens and the engine does not rotate. Any one done this before? Is there another way to rotate the engine counter clockwise? Thanks for the advice.
Reply
Old May 20, 2016 | 08:12 PM
  #2  
69mako's Avatar
69mako
Race Director
25 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 16,485
Likes: 25
From: USA. Northern Virginia
Default

Which bolt loosens up...the main center bolt? You can also turn the crank by one of the three outside bolts.
Reply
Old May 20, 2016 | 08:17 PM
  #3  
dgantt's Avatar
dgantt
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 225
Likes: 1
From: hanceville al
Default

yes sir the main center blot.
Reply
Old May 20, 2016 | 08:30 PM
  #4  
s carter's Avatar
s carter
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,888
Likes: 590
From: New Port Richey FL
Default

Originally Posted by 69mako
Which bolt loosens up...the main center bolt? You can also turn the crank by one of the three outside bolts.
since you probably need the space you probably already have the pulley off already you could protect the threads of pulley bolts or find to use bolts and use them as a leverage point with a long screwdriver between them to rotate the motor

Last edited by s carter; May 20, 2016 at 08:38 PM.
Reply
Old May 20, 2016 | 08:43 PM
  #5  
dgantt's Avatar
dgantt
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 225
Likes: 1
From: hanceville al
Default

Pulley is still on there it rotated with not issues clockwise. How big of a pain is it to pull the off, not much room down there. Do you need a HB removal tool?
Reply
Old May 20, 2016 | 08:58 PM
  #6  
Tom400CFI's Avatar
Tom400CFI
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Default

Pull the starter or the flywheel inspection cover, turn engine w/a screw driver or pry bar in the flywheel teeth. Shorten the distance required by going past TDC a bit, screw in your tool, back then engine/piston into the tool...then rotate forward w/a wrench until the piston hits the tool again, on the "other side".
Reply
Old May 20, 2016 | 09:03 PM
  #7  
s carter's Avatar
s carter
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,888
Likes: 590
From: New Port Richey FL
Default

Originally Posted by dgantt
Pulley is still on there it rotated with not issues clockwise. How big of a pain is it to pull the off, not much room down there. Do you need a HB removal tool?
Center bolt already will loosen as you said just remove the other 3 and shake the balancer will remain behind reinstall the center bolt for a just in case balancer tries to wander but I doubt it would, besides that's what your marking up.

You never did say what motor or year? it makes a deference, 84 thru the L-98 have a stamped steel pulley but the LT-1's ushered in the pulley/balancer as 1 unit

Last edited by s carter; May 20, 2016 at 10:10 PM.
Reply
Old May 20, 2016 | 09:29 PM
  #8  
antfarmer2's Avatar
antfarmer2
Race Director
 
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15,926
Likes: 579
Default

Originally Posted by dgantt
Pulley is still on there it rotated with not issues clockwise. How big of a pain is it to pull the off, not much room down there. Do you need a HB removal tool?
If it is a lt1 just take the three bolts off leaving the center one in. Then get under the car and smack the inside of the pully with a brass drift or one by turning as you go till your arm falls off. Pully will come off shortly after.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 20, 2016 | 11:00 PM
  #9  
dgantt's Avatar
dgantt
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 225
Likes: 1
From: hanceville al
Default

Sorry L98. So just take the 4 bolts out and shake it back and forth until it comes off? Looks like a new one is only 50 bucks might as well replace it.
Reply
Old May 20, 2016 | 11:15 PM
  #10  
s carter's Avatar
s carter
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,888
Likes: 590
From: New Port Richey FL
Default

Originally Posted by dgantt
Sorry L98. So just take the 4 bolts out and shake it back and forth until it comes off? Looks like a new one is only 50 bucks might as well replace it.
Shake will get the pulley but not the balancer, to get the balancer off that will take a puller there not expensive and usually can get from loan a tool at the part store

If you do get a new balancer or remove the old one for so reason you may want to also look for the balancer installer tool some may say tap on with hammer and seat with center bolt I'm not a big fan of that a tool for every job.

Last edited by s carter; May 20, 2016 at 11:26 PM.
Reply
Old May 20, 2016 | 11:39 PM
  #11  
dgantt's Avatar
dgantt
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 225
Likes: 1
From: hanceville al
Default

Thanks for all the input ya'll. What I really need it to be able to do is rotate the engine back wards to use the TDC tool. Maybe if I take off the pulley I can put the bolts bake in and use a large screw driver to put in between two bolts and twist counter clockwise. I have the spark plugs out so there shouldn't be much resistance. Is there any thing I need to worry about rotating the engine backwards, I don't think that will be a issue.
Reply
Old May 21, 2016 | 12:00 AM
  #12  
s carter's Avatar
s carter
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,888
Likes: 590
From: New Port Richey FL
Default

Originally Posted by dgantt
Thanks for all the input ya'll. What I really need it to be able to do is rotate the engine back wards to use the TDC tool. Maybe if I take off the pulley I can put the bolts bake in and use a large screw driver to put in between two bolts and twist counter clockwise. I have the spark plugs out so there shouldn't be much resistance. Is there any thing I need to worry about rotating the engine backwards, I don't think that will be a issue.
Yup stick with the mission replace the balancer only if you think there's problem so leave it alone and find your TDC
Reply
Old May 21, 2016 | 12:00 AM
  #13  
Tom400CFI's Avatar
Tom400CFI
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Default

Originally Posted by dgantt
What I really need it to be able to do is rotate the engine back wards to use the TDC tool.
Someone posted a pretty easy way to do it;
Originally Posted by Tom400CFI
Pull the starter or the flywheel inspection cover, turn engine w/a screw driver or pry bar in the flywheel teeth. Shorten the distance required by going past TDC a bit, screw in your tool, back then engine/piston into the tool...then rotate forward w/a wrench until the piston hits the tool again, on the "other side".
Reply
Old May 21, 2016 | 08:44 AM
  #14  
s carter's Avatar
s carter
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,888
Likes: 590
From: New Port Richey FL
Default

Originally Posted by Tom400CFI
Someone posted a pretty easy way to do it;
That is also a good way but I thought up a much easier way, find a large strap wrench l have a real long one for changing home water filters that would make it around the balancer or pulley

Last edited by s carter; May 21, 2016 at 08:50 AM.
Reply
Old May 21, 2016 | 09:08 AM
  #15  
dgantt's Avatar
dgantt
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 225
Likes: 1
From: hanceville al
Default

Strap wrench, I like it. Since I'm only going 360 degrees back ward all the spark plugs are out so couldn't I just grab the belt right off the HB and pull it counter clockwise. The tension should move it. It may slip a time or two but it doesn't have to go far. I have seen some one do this but pulled it clock wise, he was in a pinch with no tools. It worked, he pulled the serpentine belt clockwise until the he hit 0 degrees.
Reply
Old May 21, 2016 | 10:51 AM
  #16  
Tom400CFI's Avatar
Tom400CFI
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Default

Strap wrench IS a great idea.

Still, OP, you don't have to go 360* backward. Only a few degrees, if you do it the way that I described.
Reply
Old May 21, 2016 | 12:38 PM
  #17  
89onlyZ51's Avatar
89onlyZ51
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 99
From: Seattle WA
Default

Originally Posted by Tom400CFI
Strap wrench IS a great idea.

Still, OP, you don't have to go 360* backward. Only a few degrees, if you do it the way that I described.
Don't use a strap wrench on the balancer our you risk shipping it's outer ring.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To TDC help?

Old May 24, 2016 | 05:14 PM
  #18  
tuned's Avatar
tuned
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by dgantt
I bought a TDC tool, the kind that goes in the #1 cylinder. You then rotate the engine clockwise (by hand) until it stops and mark the HB at 0 degrees and then rotate the engine counter clockwise until it stops and mark the HB at 0 degrees. You the split the difference between the two marks and you have your true TDC. Problem I'm having is when I rotate the engine counter clockwise the bolt on the HB loosens and the engine does not rotate. Any one done this before? Is there another way to rotate the engine counter clockwise? Thanks for the advice.
The easiest way for TDC depends on what ur going to repair on the engine. I myself had a head gasket failure and I planned on a much needed timing chain. So, take off the distributor cap. Point the rotor exactly at #1 cylinder located by reference on the distributor cap. I'm talking about a tuned port. I haven't done this on an lt1,so I don't know if it would work or not. But there is no need for a TDC tool if u know ur gonna do the timing chain anyhow because if ur timing chain is as slack as mine. TDC is gonna be wrong unless u use the TDC piston tool. I mean mine is real loosey,goosey!!!!
Reply
Old May 24, 2016 | 11:11 PM
  #19  
Tom400CFI's Avatar
Tom400CFI
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Default

Originally Posted by tuned
TDC is gonna be wrong unless u use the TDC piston tool.
If you read the thread...you'd have seen that the OP is using a TDC/piston stop tool.
Reply
Old Jun 11, 2016 | 02:57 PM
  #20  
tuned's Avatar
tuned
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
Default Why do u have to use a TDC tool?

Originally Posted by Tom400CFI
If you read the thread...you'd have seen that the OP is using a TDC/piston stop tool.
Why would not just point the rotor to #1 and be done?
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:03 AM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE