# TDC with valve covers removed. **URL:** \ **Category:** PittSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [April 4, 2007, 5:10am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tdc-with-valve-covers-removed/189018 "2007-04-04T05:10:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AeroKing](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/aeroking/32/6011_2.png) [@AeroKing](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/AeroKing)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2007, 5:10am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tdc-with-valve-covers-removed/189018/1 "2007-04-04T05:10:58Z")
How do i check TDC without taking the #1 plug out?? can i be done by just taking the valve covers off, and looking at the position of the rockers? ---
**Author:** ![Pewter](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/pewter/32/5936_2.png) [@Pewter](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Pewter)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2007, 5:19am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tdc-with-valve-covers-removed/189018/2 "2007-04-04T05:19:51Z")
no,u need #1 plug out ---
**Author:** ![AeroKing](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/aeroking/32/6011_2.png) [@AeroKing](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/AeroKing)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2007, 5:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tdc-with-valve-covers-removed/189018/3 "2007-04-04T05:33:53Z")
lucky for me, thats the easiest to pull. i’ll check it when i get home from work today. ---
**Author:** ![danhr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@danhr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/danhr)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2007, 5:45am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tdc-with-valve-covers-removed/189018/4 "2007-04-04T05:45:06Z")
finding TDC can be kinda tricky. It all depends on how close to TDC you want to be You can either watch the valves and wait until the rocker just gets at the top most position (make sure you are on your compression stroke), and that will be close to TDC. a more precise way of finding tdc involves a piston stop and degree wheel. I dont feel like typing all that crap out, but i’ll just say, putting a piston stop in ur spark plug threads, and turning the crank over until it hits the piston stop, at it’s highest point, is NOT tdc ---
**Author:** ![SixSpeed454SS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19adc/32.png) [@SixSpeed454SS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SixSpeed454SS)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2007, 7:39pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tdc-with-valve-covers-removed/189018/5 "2007-04-09T19:39:55Z")
> [@scuplture park meet/cruise (5/13/07)](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/scuplture-park-meet-cruise-5-13-07/29185/8): > > no,u need #1 plug out ---
**Author:** ![tom\_vito](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/tom_vito/32/6000_2.png) [@tom\_vito](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/tom_vito)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2007, 3:23am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tdc-with-valve-covers-removed/189018/6 "2007-04-10T03:23:31Z")
> [@FS: GODSMACK TICKETS](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fs-godsmack-tickets/29133/7): > > I dont feel like typing all that crap out, but i’ll just say, putting a piston stop in ur spark plug threads, and turning the crank over until it hits the piston stop, at it’s highest point, is NOT tdc Can you tell me more? I know you dont feel like typing it all out, but I dont think I knew this… ---
**Author:** ![Jeff95TA](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jeff95ta/32/5935_2.png) [@Jeff95TA](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jeff95TA)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2007, 4:08am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tdc-with-valve-covers-removed/189018/7 "2007-04-10T04:08:33Z")
- get the piston close to TDC - put degree wheel pointer to 0 - rotate crank opposite normal rotation about 20° - install piston stop in #1 plug until it touches piston - continue to turn crank opposite normal rotation until piston hits stop - mark the degree wheel - turn crank other direction until it hits stop - mark the degree wheel - the midpoint of those two marks is TDC The starting point of the piston isn’t crucial since you’re basically marking the same piston location for opposite rotations. If you went from one marking to the other, you have to pass through TDC, which is at the midpoint of those two marks. Hope that helps! ---
**Author:** ![danhr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@danhr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/danhr)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2007, 4:54am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tdc-with-valve-covers-removed/189018/8 "2007-04-10T04:54:53Z")
^^^ what that guy said. ---
**Author:** ![tom\_vito](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/tom_vito/32/6000_2.png) [@tom\_vito](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/tom_vito)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2007, 12:49pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tdc-with-valve-covers-removed/189018/9 "2007-04-10T12:49:19Z")
Thanks, That makes perfect since…