Top dead center (TDC) of the piston of the first cylinder (Escort 5)

Top dead center (TDC) of a piston is the point through which each piston passes as the crankshaft rotates. Each piston reaches the TDC position at the end of the compression stroke, and again at the end of the exhaust stroke. In order to set the engine timing mechanism, the TDC of the piston of the first cylinder in the compression stroke is used. Cylinder No.1 is on the toothed belt side. Remove the negative cable from the battery. Raise the front of the car and secure it with stands. Remove the right front wheel. Unscrew the spark plugs. Remove the auxiliary cover of the drive belt in order to align the timing marks on the crankshaft pulley and cover. Turn the engine clockwise with a wrench on the crankshaft pulley.

There are two marks on the crankshaft pulley. When the crankshaft rotates clockwise, the alignment of the second mark on the pulley with the fixed mark indicates the position of the piston of cylinder No.1 at TDC. For an approximate installation of the piston of cylinder No.1 at TDC, you can align the second mark on the pulley with the straight edge of the oil pan (see Fig. 2C.1, 2C.2)





When the marks are aligned, the pistons of cylinders #1 and #4 are at TDC, and only one of them is in the compression stroke. Remove the head cover and if the cam of cylinder #4 is directed toward the rear of the car and slightly down, then the piston of cylinder #1 is at TDC in the compression stroke.

After setting the piston of the first cylinder to TDC in the compression stroke, you can sequentially set any other piston to TDC in the compression stroke, turning the crankshaft clockwise by 180° and taking into account the order of operation of the cylinders. Install the head and toothed belt covers, lower the car and screw in the spark plugs.