Finding TDC on a DOHC with the belt off?

[James614]

Long story short, the timing belt is off of my EJ20G (93 WRX) and I've realized I don't have the engine turned to TDC. I don't want to just turn the came gears all willy-nilly and risk valve-valve contact. Is there a safe way for me to turn everything individually to where it needs to be? I know there has to be.

[mike-tracy]

So every once in a while during a timing belt job I forget to set the cams & crank into position before removing the belt.

Here is where you want the crank to be:


This is actually BTDC, or beyond top dead center, so none of the pistons are at the top of the deck where the valves could hit them. I would carefully move the crank clockwise to get it there.

[James614]

And with the crank there, you can then safely spin the cams into position one at a time I suppose?

[wtdash]

This may help - from HERE:

[James614]

That helps, thanks!