TDC of the 1st cylinder: the piston of the 1st cylinder (from the right in the direction of travel) is exactly at TDC if the valves of the 4th cylinder intersect (the exhaust valve closes, the intake valve begins to open). Then the valves of the 1st cylinder are closed. In most old engines with an ignition distributor, the TDC position of the 1st piston is also checked by the position of the distributor pin and the flywheel (the distributor pin is above the mark on the distributor housing, the mark on the flywheel coincides with the mark in the inspection hole).
As when changing a tire, lift the front wheel. Engage 5th gear. If you now spin the free wheel forward, the crankshaft will automatically rotate easily with it, if you first remove the spark plugs. But if you cannot lift the car steadily, engage 5th gear and carefully move the car forward to the TDC position of the first piston.
On the protected side only with special tools: Ford installers set the camshafts to top dead center using a template (special tools 21-162 Zetec, 21-162-A Zetec-SE).
Without outside help, you can turn the engine with a nut-type socket wrench, which must be installed on the V-belt pulley of the generator. The engine turns better if the V-belt is pressed a little harder in the belt drive. But with this method, make sure that the engine rotates only clockwise.
The TDC of the crankshaft can only be accurately determined with special tools. To do this, Ford workshops screw a TDC installation pin (special tool 21-210) onto the side of the engine block. The engine is then turned in the direction of rotation until the crankshaft cheek fits tightly against the installation pin
Zetec/Endura: When the belt drive is free to rotate, never turn the engine by the toothed belt - the belt may slip by one tooth without you noticing, which will change the valve timing and cause damage to the valve train and piston bases.
This publication was borrowed from the website: fordbook.ru