I am installing a short block 17.5 briggs OHV I am using my old head with a new gasket, but my question is if I put piston TDC to adjust valve lash is there a way to tell which stroke it is on, is there a way to tell by looking at the key on the crank. Looking down at crank key using a clock what time should it be pointing to. With the plug valve cover off, stick a thin dowel through the spark plug hole so you can feel the piston, and rotate the crankshaft until the piston is at TDC (if you use a metal object like a long screwdriver, you need to be very careful not to damage anything). Wiggle the valve rockers, if they're both loose it's on the compression stroke. If either valve is tight, it's on that valve's stroke (intake or exhaust).

Note: valves should be adjusted at 1/4" turn past TDC.I am putting the old head on a new block, so I will be able to spin crank and see the piston at TDC, before I put the head on so I won't need to use the stick method in the spark plug hole, but the question is the flywheel key will be in a different position on both TDC stokes which way will the key be facing to adjust the valves.

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