I'm going to be installing rockers, and will obviously need to cycle the cylinders through in the process, so my question is, what is the best method for turning the crank manually? I would assume that you can put a large breaker bar on the crank pulley bolt, but I wanted to make sure that I did not break anything in the process. Is it difficult to turn the engine over with the spark plugs still installed? I really don't want to have to take those out if I don't have to (even with the MAC's).

I did a search, but I tink my question is either too vague or obvious for that to help.

You'll be fine putting using the crank bolt to spin it, i usually spin it a little then wait for compression to bleed off and then go again.

Ya, a little at a time. I thought I'd be cool and put an impact on it. Snapped the bolt. Luckily the piece in the crank was loose and just backed out.

lol, you're lucky. If you're worried about snapping it you can also just turn it by using one of the three harmonic balancer bolts.

Run a wire from the starter +12v(purple wire) up to the top of the car near the battery, so you can just touch the wire to +12v on the battery and manually rotate the starter..

Cody

I just got done doing my timing chain install and I had to rotate the crank to get the timing marks to line up. What I did is just turn the crank by having my crank pulley installed and I just turned it by hand, I let the pressure bleed off and then just turned it some more. It wasent hard at all to spin it after I made sure it wasent in gear, Make sure your in neutral when you do this. Hope this helps.

the best way is to use a flywheel turner.
-b

what's a flywheel turner?

you guys make something s simple seems so hard. All you need is a breaker bar and a socket. put it on one of the bolts and just use your weight to turn the crank. This methed has never failed me.

I was thinking that it shouldn't be any more complicated than that, but in all of my working on cars, I have never had to deal with it until now. Just wanted to be sure before I go out anfd break something important.

Thanks.

Yes, but you need to go slowly to allow compression to bleed off like taguy00 said, so you don't overstress and snap the crank bolt (some people don't know when to quit ).

taguy001: a "flywheel turner" is a lever device that grabs the teeth of the flywheel to turn the crank. Obviously, it is much easier to use when you would have the engine on a stand (like during assembly).

or...you could just pick up a remote starter from Auto Zone for around $15.00 for the "deluxe" model.JMHO

just put 2 bolts opposite each other in your harmonic balancer and use a big screw driver, in between and turn it... ya you WILL need to take your plugs out.

I've always adjusted my roller rockers w/ the car running at idle.... why am I the only one to suggest this?

I don't know, but not everyone likes to do them that way.