I just rebuilt the engine on my 87 CRX. New piston rings and head reburbished by local machine shop. I'm pretty sure it's a timing problem but can't figure out how to fix it. I neglected to note the position of the distributor, cam shaft, and lower sprocket before I took the head off. Now I can't seem to find TDC of the piston. My maintenance manual tells me how to do it but the pictures are of different cam shafts and the marks they mention don't exist on mine. Is there a simple way to find TDC for the number 1 piston without taking the head back off to do it visually? Also I've been playing with the position of the cam shaft and I can get it to the point of almost wanting to crank but it want. Any help would be appreciated. I feel like an idiot for not noting the position of the distributor and other items before I took the head off.

 

welcome to the forum. one way to check for piston on tdc is to look at your crankshaft pulley, timing mark , and as the piston comes to the top, this should be your compression stroke. Then check your cam timing.