How do you find top dead center on a small engine?

To find top dead center (TDC) on a small engine, remove the spark plug and use a long, thin tool like a pencil or a screwdriver to gently feel for the piston as it rises. Rotate the engine's crankshaft slowly using the pull cord or a wrench until the piston reaches its highest point, which indicates TDC. You can also align the timing marks on the flywheel with a reference mark on the engine casing for precision. Once at TDC, you can perform tasks such as valve adjustments or timing checks.