How to Find Top Dead Center in a 350 Chevy

One of the most important steps in engine rebuilding and engine timing is to be sure the engine is at top dead center before starting. If you do not bring the engine to top dead center, you will not be able to properly time the engine. The engine must be at top dead center is so that its firing order will take the proper sequence.

Things You'll Need

• Ratchet
• Socket set
• Spark plug socket

Instructions

1. Locate the nut on the crank shaft and use an appropriately sized socket on the ratchet. Place the ratchet on the crankshaft nut.

2. Locate the number one piston on the engine by looking at the firing order, which should be printed on the engine or the intake.

3. Remove the spark plug wire and the spark plug from the number one piston.

4. Put your finger inside of the spark plug hole and determine where the piston is. The piston must be all the way up at top dead center.

5. Turn the crankshaft until the piston has reached the top and starts to go back down. Once the piston is at the top of the cylinder, the engine will be at top dead center.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring the piston up until it just starts to go back down. This way, you will know that the piston is all the way up and at top dead center.

• Once you reach top dead center, put the plug back in and start adding the other plugs to begin the firing order process.

• Do not turn the crankshaft very fast with your finger inside of the cylinder or you could pinch your finger.

References

• ThirdGen: Find Top Dead Center
• Classic Car Auto: Firing Order for small block chevy engines