2. Installing the piston (or pistons) at TDC of the compression stroke is an integral part of many procedures.
3. Move the gearshift lever to neutral. Disconnect the ignition coil high-voltage wire from the central terminal of the distributor cap and connect it to ground on the cylinder block.
4. Remove the distributor cap and locate the position of the high-voltage wire of the 1st cylinder spark plug on the cap. If this terminal is not numbered, determine it by the wire from the spark plug.
5. Turn the crankshaft with a key or starter so that the mark on the pulley aligns with the O mark on the scale. The normal direction of engine rotation is clockwise (photo).
3.5b Scale on the pulley (k24 engine)
1. Red color mark; 2. Ignition timing scale
3.5a Mark on the pulley division O on the scale for setting the piston to TDC.
5. If the runner points to the mark on the distributor housing, then the piston of the 1st cylinder is at TDC of the compression stroke. Otherwise, turn the crankshaft one full turn clockwise (360°) and set the piston of the 1st cylinder to TDC of the compression stroke.
[Material borrowed from the website: NISSANBOOK]
6. Now you can set the remaining pistons to TDC of the compression stroke by turning the crankshaft 180° and observing the order of cylinder operation.