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Finding top dead center with a 9/16 wrench

Blue Brick

Blue Brick

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Before I go ahead with this, I wanted to get some feedback from everyone here. Are there any concerns or warnings I should be aware of when trying to find top dead center by turning the torque converter with a 9/16” wrench?
 
Take all the spark plugs out so you are exerting minimal force on the bolt. This will eliminate the risk of breaking the bolt or stripping the hole out.
 
I'm sure lots of us do that operation just to tighten flex plate cap screws. Just try not to over tighten the screws. A long wrench helps too.
Mike
 
I would not try to turn the engine over by a torque converter bolt. Even with the spark plugs out. My luck, I would break it off. As mentioned, use a socket on the crank bolt. A 1-1/8" socket with a 3" extension on a 1/2" drive breaker bar or long ratchet works good on all of my cars.
 
For a moment I thought, how are you sticking a 9/16" into a spark plug hole ? Nah... silly... he means laying the wrench across the deck above the piston and using a tape measure from the wrench to the piston.
1752240713438.png
 
A dial gauge is cheap. Making a mounting bracket is cheap and easy enough. Turning the engine using the crank bolt works, with the plugs removed. I have no idea about a 9/16 spanner and a torque converter.
Can I assume the heads are off?
 
Factory A/C with no room to reach the bolt with removing the fan and fan shroud. Unless someone know a handy tip/trick how to do it?
 
Blue Brick said:
Factory A/C with no room to reach the bolt with removing the fan and fan shroud. Unless someone know a handy tip/trick how to do it?
Click to expand...
You will have to turn it from underneath if that's the case. I have never seen one yet that can not be reached with the right sockets and extensions.
 
I will take a picture later, it's tight with no room. The fan and pulley are super close to the fan shroud.
 
I’m sure you're familiar with motors, but I wanted to share a photo of mine for context.

IMG20250711073709.jpg
 
I'd pull the belts off, and remove the lower pulley. I would not attempt a torque converter bolt ( especially the little bolts 5/16 vs 7/16)
Besides, how were you planing on turning the engine in the opposite direction to find TDC.?
You could borrow a flywheel turner from vatozone. (If it can get on the converter gear, I don't know.)
 
Take of the belt the spins the fan, then the fan will be still while you turn the crankshaft.
 
I'm not a fan of turning the engine with TC bolts either.....
 
Sounds like we’ve got a plan in place. What’s the torque spec for the crankshaft pulley bolts?
 
6PKRTSE said:
3 of my big block cars are A/C cars and I can turn them over from underneath by the crank bolt without removing the belts.
Click to expand...

What socket size and extension length are you using for this? I will certainly try it first.
 
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