Hi all

I own a 1999 new style Chev silverado 5.3 litre auto 4x4, I blew my head gasket and would like to do the work myself, question I have is finding top dead center. what is the best way to do this (I have never done this). Do I first find it with my finger over the #1 piston before taking the head off and feeling for the air release. Then with the head off use a deck plate style stop then dial it in with a degree wheel?

Now this engine of course does not have a distributor and timing be set the old school way, Chilton manual shows to align the timing marks of the crank and cam with the #1 at TDC so I asume that takes care of the timing mechanicialy. Then It says that the PCM uses the crankshaft pos sensor signal to precisely control the igition timing and calculate engine speed.

Or do I simply use the deck plate and dial indicator once the head is off? But if I do it that way how do I know that the cam and crank are not off by 180 degrees if I cant see the timing alginment marks?

Any other adivce or insight from the experts would be apprciated, Thanks!