Ted, I put my higher ratio rocker arms on tonight. I used your method #1 on your post 12-01-07 without finding top dead center. Worked great for me. When I bought the truck in Jan '78 it didn't have a timing pointer. I made one while I was working part time at a welding shop. They were still using those era trucks, and the Lincoln welders they started with a hand crank. Anyway, I'm not sure how close to TDC at zero I am.



Doug T, I see Mason/Dixon dragway is having a Ford show/drag Aug 24th. Ever been there?

  Dennis in Lititz PA

Dennis.  You might try making a piston stop out of an old spark plug so you can verify TDC on your damper.  You just turn the engine over in both directions by hand until the piston contacts the piston stop while marking the damper at the end of the travel in each direction.  Actual TDC will be in the middle of the two marks you put on the damper.  And disconnect the battery anytime a piston stop is being used as you definitely don't need the starter to be accidentally engaged.

 

And for every one else, here’s the link to the valve lash methods to which Dennis refers.

http://www.y-blocksforever.com/forums/Topic8614-3-1.aspx

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Hi Dennis

Mason/Dixon is a very nice track and I have been to the all Ford show there a couple of times. They are also running races during the show. It is a good tune up for Columbus.  Unfortuanately I can no longer get there conveniently as it is about 550 miles from my new home!

Doug T

The Highlands, Louisville, Ky.

Thanks Doug, I was considering going to race for practice for Columbus. There's also a test and tune at Numidia the 23rd. I've got to hit at least one of them.

  Dennis in Lititz PA

Dennis:

Did you change the heads, or only the rocker arem?  See you in about 20 days.

John in Selma, IN

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

John, just rocker arms only. I thought I'd install the heads over winter. I want to bring them out with me and 239 and 292 gaskets for your advice. The machinist said the combustion chambers are 67cc's now. Don't know what the 239 is.

  Dennis in Lititz PA

Anyone got a junk 239 head that they can bring to Columbus Y-Block shootout?  The head only needs one checkable chamber with the valves installed.  I can bring it back home with me, cc it, and post a real cc number for the 239.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)