Wrenchin’ Wednesday: how to build a DIY piston stop for $5

[Brandan]

Setting Top Dead Center (TDC) is a major step during engine work as it is the point at which all mechanical events are timed to. 

We're going show you how to build a quick and cheap piston stop using a generic spark plug anti-fouler, which costs under $5. These tools can be found online and in many speed shops, but are becoming less common in local parts houses, so we'll dive right in on a DIY solution!

Read the full article at Hagerty.com: https://www.hagerty.com/media/maintenance-and-tech/wrenchin-wednesday-how-to-build-a-diy-piston-stop...

[alymar]

I made one 40 years ago. I broke the porcelain out of a old plug and used a carriage bolt with the curved head so didn't damage the piston. Nut on each side of the shell. Just another way. 

[11JA]

Sorry just noticed your comment after posting an almost identical one myself. What’s interesting is that I’m in the U.K. so minds across the ocean!

[11JA]

I made a simple tool for this purpose over forty years ago merely by knocking out the ceramic part of the spark plug itself and adapting a suitable rod to go through the centre. Screw it in and off you go.

[extech]

you know it doesn't matter if it's on the compression stroke or not

[Rival]

So @extech your timing marks are on the exhaust stroke?

[extech]

so you know tdc happens twice inthe 4 stroke cycle . once with both valves closed and once when there is a transition from ex to in

[deckerbilt]

Nice to see a reference to a "flat blade" screwdriver when so many call it a "flat head" screwdriver.

[jaysalserVW]

VERY CLEVER!