Questions and Answers

Top Dead Center On A Nissan 200SX Q. I've been trying to find some help with my Nissan. I have a 1996 Nissan 200SX 1.6 liter. I have removed the intake manifold, exhaust manifold, and am about to remove the cylinder head. I would like to know what would be the best way of finding Top Dead Center (TDC). I don't know if I can use a piston stop and degree wheel.

I have a Haynes manual, but it is not clear about how to achieve TDC. I have not removed the Distributor yet, hopefully that was a good thing. I would really appreciate any help you can give me. I am trying to do this project on my own as much a possible. After I remove the head, I am sending it to a shop to get cleaned up, and have the valve seals replaced. I love my car and just want it to run good.

Thank you,
Ernesto

A. Piece of cake Ernesto! When you have the head off, turn the engine until the 0° mark, usually white in color, on the crankshaft pulley lines up with the pointer. Viola! The piston is at TDC.

When you replace the cylinder head, you need to make sure both valves for number one cylinder are closed and the cam lobes are pointing 180° away from the valves. Failure to do so will result in bending of the valves when you torque down the cylinder head.

After you have the head bolted down, set up your timing chains according the diagrams in your manual. after you have the timing chains and timing set, slowly rotate the engine by hand a couple of times to be sure there is no interference.