[Red90]

You need to set it up so that the dial gauge is always touching the piston. If it comes free, you can’t determine the start of lift. The zero point is the lowest reading. You will see a dead spot just before the pin will go in.

The 13 second point is the high point of the lift, not the zero.

 

[Red90]

Yes. The long dead period is the zero. Keep in mind that there are four lifts per revolution. One for each injector. You need to make sure you are setting it up for the injection event where the pin goes in.

 

[Red90]

Somehow you are seriously overthinking a simple job.

Rotate the pump around until the timing pin lines up and stick in the pin to make sure.

Remove pin and rotate pump counterclockwise until you see no dial movement. That is zero.

Zero the gauge.

Rotate clockwise until the dial gets to the desired lift. This should be close to the location that the pin goes in.

Lock the plate.

Remove flywheel pin and rotate engine twice. Just before it gets to TDC again check the gauge zero. Rotate to TDC and verify lift is what you want.