360 Learn me the proper way to use the Hill Engineering TDC tool...

Things to remember using a clock gauge for tdc on any engine. Always turn the crank in the normal direction, if you overshoot you need to go around. Dont try and reverse the crank as some timing chain tensioners will back off and you can damage the valves.
Also when the piston comes up to tdc and you get the max clock reading, there are a few degrees of crank movement where the clock will stay on its max reading- this is the point where the crank journal goes over tdc but the piston does not move. You can note when the clock reaches max and then note when the clock just starts to drop from max. Depending on the engine you might have a few dead degrees - again engine dependent you can split the difference. Lots of options

 

No chains on this engine so this is not relevant. You are just looking at the gauge as the piston is going up and detecting maximum height.

 

It is used with a degree wheel on the front of the engine, at the crank pulley.

1. Start with a reasonable location for zero at TDC. That dial indicator will tell you that.
2. Spin the crank with the degree wheel on it, stop when you are 20 degrees before TDC (on the degree wheel), read the number on indicator (x)
3. Spin the crank forward slowly until you pass TDC and then arrive at the same number x on the indicator. Read the degree wheel and see where you are at. Say, 30 degrees after TDC.
4. Your true TDC is found at the middle of the two numbers (20 degree BTDC and 30 degree ATDC). In this case, it is 5 degree ATDC.

Spin your crank shaft to 5 degree After TDC and leave it there.
Loosen your indicator pin (I use a coat hanger cut and bent to size attached to a nut on the front of the engine) and move it to point at 0 degree on the wheel. Lock it down.

You have found your TDC compression stroke. Re-validate by repeating 1-3 again, this time you should see TDC at zero degree without having to move anything.