The power and economy of an engine depends largely on the accurate operation of its valve.  It is, therefore, necessary that you know how to reset it, should it become necessary to do so.

An authority says, “Bring your engine to a dead center and then adjust your valve to the proper lead.”  This is all right as far as it goes, but how are you to find the dead center.  I know that it is a common custom in the field to bring the engine to a center by the use of the eye.  You may have a good eye, but it is not good enough to depend on for the accurate setting of a valve.

HOW TO FIND THE DEAD CENTER

First, provide yourself with a “tram.”  This you can do by taking a 1/4 inch iron rod, about 18 inches long, and bend about two inches of one end to a sharp angle.  Then sharpen both ends to a nice sharp point.  Now, fasten securely a block of hard wood somewhere near the face of the fly wheel, so that when the straight end of your tram is placed at a definite point in the block the other, or hook end, will reach the crown of fly wheel.

Be certain that the block cannot move from its place, and be careful to place the tram at exactly the same point on the block at each time you bring the tram into use.  You are now ready to proceed to find the dead center, and in doing this remember to turn the fly wheel always in the same direction.  Now, turn your engine over till it nears one of the centers, but not quite to it.  You will then, by the aid of a straight-edge make a clear and distinct mark across the guides and cross head.  Now, go around to the fly wheel and place the straight end of the tram at same point on the block, and with the hook end make a mark across the crown or center of face of fly wheel; now turn your engine past the center and on to the point at which the line on cross head is exactly in line with the lines on guides.  Now, place your tram in the same place as before, and make another mark across the crown of fly wheel.  By the use of dividers find the exact center between the two marks made on fly wheel; mark this point with a center punch.  Now, bring the fly wheel to the point at which the tram, when placed at its proper place on block, the hook end, or point, will touch this punch mark, and you will have one of the exact dead centers.

Now, turn the engine over till it nears the other center, and proceed exactly as before, remembering always to place the straight end of tram exactly in same place in block, and you will find both dead centers as accurately as if you had all the fine tools of an engine builder.

You are now ready to proceed with the setting of your valve, and as you have both dead centers to work from you ought to be able to do it, as you do not have to depend on your eye to find them, and by the use of the tram You turn your engine to exactly the same point every time you wish to get a center.