So that would be a "No" ... (TDC on the compression stroke?)

 

Yes but you are a "master tech". Us shade tree guys have to have that physical confirmation of compression; we might mistake the exhaust pushrod for the intake pushrod so we take no chances.

 

Well, I don't know about master tech. Where I learned that was in technical automotive classes in the mid 70's. My instructor was in fact a master tech with GM vehicles, mostly he was a Cadillac and Chevy guy, but knew all vehicles very well. He taught that way to get the valves closed to tighten down the rocker arms, and also to adjust solid lifters.

 

I remember once using a pencil to measure TDC through the spark plug hole on my old Triumph.

Plenty of ways to skin a fish, or a cat, or a whatever.

 

Yup, for me I have to K.I.S.S...... Finger in plug hole to verify compression stroke and plastic Chopstick to verify true TDC. Hasn't failed me yet.........

 

🤦‍♂️ what a dumb mistake. I’ll be trying to readjust the pushrods the right way this weekend. We’ll see if that fixes the problem because this likely isn’t the only mistake I made.

 

Don't say dumb. You never pretended to be a know it all. It's actually a common rookie mistake. Let's learn, fix, and move on... Git that Hog fixed and report back please!

 

How did that go?

 

Same for me. Finger over spark plug hole until that cylinder is pushing air out (compression stroke) then I hold a long screw driver in the hole watching it go up until it flattens out and right before it starts to go back down is when I adjust that cylinders pushrods. Never failed me, plus removing the spark plugs helps turn the motor over by hand.

 

Howdy,
Having recently done the same cam kit upgrade...
The how and when to adjust pushrods, base circle, other cylinder, etc... got me in trouble.
I called Bob Wood and he "skooled me", in a polite way. And then I remembered the same trick from back in the late 70's to find TDC on compression using something in the sparkplug hole.
I used a plastic chopstick also. If it gets stuck it won't scratch the piston or valves or cylinder wall. if it gets stuck it will bend.
A screwdriver could get stuck.
did the trick, adjusted, waited, did other cylinder, waited. Put all back together.
Success
I have learned a great deal here at HDF