The Unofficial "Ask a Stupid Question" Thread

[White Lincoln]

Search Assist

Yes, the timing mark on the harmonic balancer can indicate top dead center (TDC) for the crankshaft, but it's important to verify its accuracy with a timing tab or other methods to ensure proper alignment. If the mark is not aligned correctly, it may not represent true TDC.

 

[Zep5.0]

Search Assist

Yes, the timing mark on the harmonic balancer can indicate top dead center (TDC) for the crankshaft, but it's important to verify its accuracy with a timing tab or other methods to ensure proper alignment. If the mark is not aligned correctly, it may not represent true TDC.

I'd say that on a stock application it's plenty good for ensuring you have timing close enough to start a car. One thing you do need to know is TDC firing versus TDC exhaust, as you reach TDC 2 times in a cycle. Intake valve should be closing right before Ignition.

 

[White Lincoln]

Unfortunately, using the harmonic balancer method can also lead to 180 deg off.

...ask me how I know.

 

[Kidd-7]

Been there…

 

[MadMikeyL]

The firing order on the 3.8 is 142536, so when #1 is on TDC compression, #5 is on TDC exhaust, and vice versa. So if it’s easier, you can mark the balancer based on cylinder #5, then just rotate the engine over one full revolution, and you will be on TDC compression for #1.

 

[White Lincoln]

The firing order on the 3.8 is 142536, so when #1 is on TDC compression, #5 is on TDC exhaust, and vice versa. So if it’s easier, you can mark the balancer based on cylinder #5, then just rotate the engine over one full revolution, and you will be on TDC compression for #1.

Nice! Thanks MadMikey.

 

[CDsDontBurn]

My stupid question.

For replacing the outer turn signal bulbs up front, do you need to remove the housing to get to the bulb?

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

My stupid question.

For replacing the outer turn signal bulbs up front, do you need to remove the housing to get to the bulb?

Yes. Two nuts. 10 mm if I remember correctly.

 

[CDsDontBurn]

Yes. Two nuts. 10 mm if I remember correctly.

Cool, good to know. Thanks for confirming my thoughts!

 

[XR7-4.6]

11mm

 

[CDsDontBurn]

11mm

You know, this is the one thing that I don't like about this platform (maybe Ford more broadly). I loathe the fact that there are a whole bunch of sizes to go through on just about every aspect of this car.

Honda on the other hand, you're using primary 10mm and 12mm almost everywhere. There will also be uses for 8mm and 14mm. Beyond that, you don't really see any other size anywhere else except for the oil pan drain bolt (17mm), harmonic balancer bolt 19mm, and axle nuts (27mm)

On the MN12, it's 4mm, 7mm, 9mm, 10mm, 11mm 12mm, hex, torx, allen, and whatever else I know I'm missing there. That's seriously an obscene over use of bolt / nut sizes and types.

 

[XR7-4.6]

You know, this is the one thing that I don't like about this platform (maybe Ford more broadly). I loathe the fact that there are a whole bunch of sizes to go through on just about every aspect of this car.

Honda on the other hand, you're using primary 10mm and 12mm almost everywhere. There will also be uses for 8mm and 14mm. Beyond that, you don't really see any other size anywhere else except for the oil pan drain bolt (17mm), harmonic balancer bolt 19mm, and axle nuts (27mm)

On the MN12, it's 4mm, 7mm, 9mm, 10mm, 11mm 12mm, hex, torx, allen, and whatever else I know I'm missing there. That's seriously an obscene over use of bolt / nut sizes and types.

Tell me about it, I have fantasized about putting together a compact go-tool box with tools and sizes only relevant to my car but it ends up needing too much to fit 7mm, 8mm, 10mm, 11mm 13mm, 15mm and 18mm I’d say are the bulk, there are a few 12s and 9s sprinkled around but they’re kind of uncommon sizes. And yeah the various sizes of torx, ugh.

Ford must have been in cahoots with tool manufacturers guaranteeing them mechanics will have to buy all this crap, there’s no other explanation.

 

[Vicinity]

My craftsman socket box is not magnetized, and has the full array of metric as well. If I open it from the wrong side I have to play pick-up sockets while the text on both the box and the socket need direct sunlight to read

 

[KevinVarnes]

I had a similar problem with my case of wheel bearing press adapters. I just used a paint pen marker and wrote "TOP" on the appropriate side. No more reorganizing them every time I opened the case.

 

[Grog6]

Magnets are cheap on amazon, and a crayon fills the lettering well on chrome. I use paint on the impact sockets,it sticks to the black real well.
If you have crayons left over, 3 or 4 crayons stuck in the top of a beer bottle, will burn like a candle!
I still can't go to appleby's,lol. They have packs of 4 crayons for kids...

 

[Vicinity]

Honestly, I did find a 4 pack of crayons in the lincoln. The net in the back of drivers seat is sagging, so I bet this thing went to applebees in spades