[alfa] Dial Indicators for Finding TDC

[Jon Pike <jhpike@xxxxxxx>]

For what it's worth,  here's what I've been doing during my engine rebuild.

This is what is known as a real Kluge, in West Coast electronic/computer 
industry speak,  or Bodge for our Brit compatriots..

First of all, got a $7 often on sale dial gauge at Harbor Freight. Also 
got a $7 magnetic clamp mounting slide for the gauge.  As has been 
said,  the magnet isn't much use on an Alfa motor,  but it fits 
comfortably in the #2 spark plug cavity, and weighs enough to be stable 
while measuring.

Problem to be overcome,  the dial gauge probe is too short to even reach 
the spark plug hole not to mention the piston top,  so searching about 
for likely items I found my Xacto knife handle was about right.  The one 
I have even has a double split blade chuck,  which kept the dial point 
centered.

So, with a precariously balanced block, and teetering Xacto handle,  I 
was able to get it settled in and reading stable TDC to the point that 
how slowly I could turn the engine was the limiting factor..  that and 
the aforementioned slack of a couple degrees.  I dealt with that by 
turning a ways before TDC, and coming up on it.. at least that's half 
the slack gone..

Definatly good enough to set the pointer accurately,  and to get a good 
reference for checking the cam timing.

Hope this helps!

Jon and Marcia  (oil sump on, waiting for Spica gasket and O-ring, 
missing from gasket set)
77 Spider
Irvine, CA  
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