Find TDC with no flywheel? (engine on stand)
 

I want to finish as much of the engine assembly as possible with the engine on the stand, but I would need to keep the engine at TDC to mount the camtower and belts
Is this possible or even advisable without mounting the flywheel?

TDC on the short block is when 1 and 4 are at the top of their stroke. If the head it already bolted on you could put a dowl in the number one spark plug and make sure it is at the top of it's travel. Just don't turn the crank once the cam tower is mounted:)

Is the oil pan on? A quick look will tell you if it isn't. Is the head on? Same deal. If you really want to be certain, mount the flywheel and a flywheel lock before going any further. You could also reference via the woodruff key slot in the crank nose - sorry but I can't recall where it points at TDC - anyone?

What about the cam sprocket and balance shaft notches? I guess it depends on how much has been reassembled.

Yeah, but it reads as if the head's on but the cam isn't.

Also, the crank rear will be keyed for the flywheel - you can check orientation there, too. If the head's on and the cam isn't, all the valves will be closed so you may as well go ahead and build away, just leave the cam tower until LAST and reference from the flywheel once it's installed.

yea as long as the valves aren't being pushed into the combustion chamber by the cam, you're free to spin the crank however. but just make sure #1 is at TDC when the cambox goes on.

It's all been apart except for the head.
I am mounting the cam tower with the cam so valves will open, that's why I need TDC.

I would need to reference via the woodruff key or the flywheel key, I don't trust me with the "stick in the sylinder" method. I can never get the same reading twice.

See factory service manual there is a casting notch on block by speed and reference sensor area with bracket removed you will see a line cast in rear of engine block. With flywheel installed in a engine stand you can line up tdc marks on block and flywheel that is tdc. No guessing there is also a line scribed on the crankshaft flange that you can eye ball to line with cast mark on block or use a staight edge. Flywheel on engine is more accurate. Regards tom

Mis-read the part about no cam tower on...duh!

Carry on.:)