how do u put the motor at TDC?

 

Few options. First you can pull a coil and plug, stick a long screwdriver down the spark plug hole, rotate the crank until it crests.
Or with the serp belt off, there is a dash missing in the rear of the pulley, match that to the timing mark on the cover, located at 11 o'clock or so, use a mirror to be sure it's lined up

 

I'm curious about this, too. I understand that the crank is at 5 o'clock, but how do you know which stroke it's on?

 

Easiest way? What cylinder do u stick a screwdriver down.?

 

Number one, I assume. I used to use a dowel road for this: a really long one. I put a mark on it so I would know if it was going up or down.

 

Can't u tell cause the rod would be moving up or down lol

I'll get me a rod, and it's right when the piston is at the very top yes?

 

I was getting it down to the nutzzzzzzzzzzzz. Man, that was a long time ago.

At the very top, yes.

Are you still working on the tensioner?

 

I would say the easiest way is to remove the valve cover and watch the valves. Intake side are towards the front of the car and Exhaust are towards the firewall, at least on a LSJ engine. You can see the intake valves go down and then the exhaust valves that will tell you which stage on the of the stroke it is on.

 

Not yet, just wanna be prepared lol

 

just use the dip stick, no need for a long screwdriver.

 

Most reliable method mentioned thus far.

The other way would be to watch for the timing arrows on the cam phasers. When they're actually visible, you're at TDC compression stroke cylinder 1.

 

So when intake valves are down ur good or what

 

I know TDC is technically at the top of any of the strokes, but TDC for timing has always been on the compression stroke. All valves closed. That hasn't changed, I hope.

 

i found myself a 2.2l motor for a few hundred buck totally gonna teach myself how to take a motor apart and put it back together till i can do it with my eyes closed. lol