Thank you guys this is all very informative...when im riggin up the dial indicator for the piston are you guys gettin it through the injector hole or what?

 

Its been a number of years now - but yes - at least on mine. You will need some extensions on the dial indicator or you wont be able to reach the top of the piston.

 

Pull the spring off the #1 exhaust valve and put the indicator on the tip. Make sure the psiton us up so you don't drop the valve. That's the most accurate and easy way to find TDC.

 

In school we were taught to set the dial indicator up when the piston is near TDC in the dwell area(not moving) zero it and rotate engine until the piston drops a set amount (.1, .5 whatever you want) stop mark the balancer and them turn the engine the other way until it reaches the same measurment and then mark the balancer and split the difference.

The only thing I don't like about using the dial indicator on a 12v is the angle the indicator runs at relative to the piston. It would be better in my mind to measure straight down to the piston using the method ^ suggested with the exhaust valve.

but to each his own I guess.

 

or as kazairl said... just use the dampner... much cheaper than a degree wheel; does the same thing. thanks for the better info