dial indicator adaptor

[cmbrucew]

Originally Posted by tubman

You might try an old snowmobiler's trick. Feed enough rope down through the spark plug hole to act as a piston stop. Turn the crankshaft both ways until it stops turning. Halfway between is TDC. You would have to be kinda careful not to vary the amount of rope in the cylinder and rock it back and forth several times to account for the compress-ability of the rope, but I bet it'd be close. I think a dial indicator extension would be tough.

I've done this a lot on snowmobiles, but admit I've never tried it on a flathead Ford.

Bruce, could you explain how that dial indicator set up would work?

You are correct, my bad. You know Chrysler industrial engines had a hole thru the head for that very purpose. Just remove the pipe plug and drop in a welding rod or whatever.
Bruce