Turning the engine over by hand - how?

[Gresley]

Can anyone tell me the best way to turn the engine over by hand please? Is stilsons on the crankshaft pulley the best way?

Many thanks

Brian

[stoutgoose]

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Socket on the crank pulley bolt with plugs out to reduce compression.

[Andrew S]

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Brian, the crank bolt is a good one but I also put a 7/8 spanner on the steering pump pulley and with spark plugs removed, it turns easily

[Stagdad]

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stoutgoose wrote:

Socket on the crank pulley bolt with plugs out to reduce compression.

Not enough room is there Steve?Not all of us have pushed our rads forward

Brian as you are MOD you could lift one rearwheel off the ground and put in 4thgear then rotate the wheel.

Cheers Steve

[NickA]

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... or if it's a manual stick it in gear and by turningone of the wheels by hand you can rotate the engine. I do this when measuring the cam shims. Piece of doddle with the plugs out.

[Stagdad]

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Is there an echo in here

[marshman]

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Mine is a MK1 Auto with as far as I know a standard rad and I turn mine over with an open ended spanner on the crank pulley. I actually use a 24mm (not quite the correct size but its longer than the one that is!), it is long enough to stick above the fan blades. I can turn the engine over reasonably easily about 30 degrees at a time even with the plugs in.

I wouldn't use stilsons on the crank pulley other than to hold it while you remove the bolt, they will gradually chew it up.

Roger

[Gresley]

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Thanks for the advice everyone, especially the tip about stilstons chewing the pulley up:shock:Glad I asked, because this was my plan of action!! Sounds easy with the plugs out and a large 7/8 spanner, which I have. I'm so glad we have this forum!

Many thanks again

Brian

[stoutgoose]

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A good trick to loosening the crank pulley bolt is to (with radiator removed), place a long handled ratchet/breaker bar and socket onto the crank bolt, with the handle of the ratchet/bar resting on a wad of rags next to the expansion bottle.

Disconnect the king lead from the coil and turn the engine over with just aturn of the starter a time, one or two goes will easily loosen the bolt.

Works well on automatics!

[GDPR]

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I find my 3/4" air impact wrench does the job quite well........

[Arbman Al]

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What's wrong with a bit of muscle power??:?

Al.

[stoutgoose]

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Muscle only works on manuals!

Anyway why use muscle when you can use your brain!