What is the best way to find true TDC? The methods I've seen all use a dial indicator which I don't have, but if that's the only or best way I'll go invest in one. I want to measure my piston - deck height so I want to be as accurate as possible. I know I'll need a dial indictor when I go to set up the cam but if I can wait until then it would be better. (Wifee's getting nervous.)

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

What/how are you planning on measuring deck height? Just rotate the engine in very small increments, until you get the smallest reading.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

Its pretty easy to visually establish TDC. The eye can detect TDC while rotating the crank.
On a slant the piston is at TDC for a surprising length of time.

If you are getting a little older (as am I) and cant see as well as you would like a finger can detect minute increments. Rotate crank with fingure just touching piston....you can feel it "leave" the finger as you roll past...roll back till it "touches"....roll away till it leaves....roll back...etc etc.

I put my index fingure nail on the deck with my finger tip extended into the bore. This steadies the finger. A dial indicater is good...if you can read it.

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

I will be using a dial caliper to measure the depth. The one I have should be accurate to .001". I want to know the actual deck height relative to the piston top but even more than that I want to get the difference, if any between #1 and #6 so that I can get the block squared if necessary. The ultimate goal is to get the compression ratio up to around 9 or 9.5:1 so if the block needs to be trued then I'll know how and how much to have it machined. The rest will be taken off the head after the valve work is done.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

That will work. Do like Sandy said, then use the dial caliper, as you "rock the engine slowley, till you get the smallest measurement.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

In other words, put the plunger down in the bore with it just BTDC then roll it over to ATDC while holding the caliper firmly against the deck surface. That should work, and for good measure I'll repeat it to be sure I'm getting consistent readings.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.