Hand Turning the Engine

[Jordan]

This may be a dumb question but do the plugs have to be pulled before turning the engine by hand?  Also, Joe posted some time ago a method for turning the engine; chock wheels, put car in 4th gear, release hand brake, jack up rear left tire and turn tire in direction of travel.  Has anyone tried this  (I believe Joe had not yet tried it when he posted).  Seems like a relatively simple method not requiring any tools other than a jack.

[al_lieffring]

Question 1: The plugs do not need to be removed, but it is easier to turn the motor with the compression being released out the spark plug hole.

Question 2: jacking up a wheel  with the (manual) transmission in 4th gear would easily turn over the motor, but if you are trying to line up the timing marks or some other similar task, this would be a 2 man job. it is easier to use a 27mm (1-1/16") socket on the front carnk shaft balancer bolt. this way you can watch the timing marks as you turn the crankshaft with a ratchet.

Jacking up one wheel was a fairly common way of cranking Ford cars before the introduction of the electric starter.

[Jordan]

Many thanks Al.  You guessed it I want to turn the engine so I can line up the timing marks, now that I found them under all the grime.  Another dumb question, where exactly is the crank shaft balancer bolt?  I knew I needed a 27 mm socket (from other threads) but I can't for the life of me find a bolt at the front of the engine that is that large.   This is the first time I am doing this so I am on a very steep learning curve.  Thanks.

[graphic66]

The bolt is deep inside the pulley on the front of the engine that is bolted to the crank. It is advisable to only turn the engine the way it runs, do not turn it backwards, this could possibly jump the timeing chain. Also, put your keys somewhere with a note attached reminding you to remove the wrench from the crank before starting the engine. 

[Jordan]

Graphic66, thanks.  No wonder I couldn't see it.  Also explains why everyone says not to forget to remove the socket.  Out of site out of mind.  The engine turns clockwise I have been told and seems to make sense based on how the fan blade turns. 

[wwheeler]

An easy way I have found to turn the engine over is to use a rubber strap wrench on the crankshaft pulley. The only condition is that you must have an empty pulley groove on the crankshaft pulley to wrap the strap wrench around.

My strap is about 3/4" wide and is long enough to go around the entire pulley. The rubber strap wrenches are inexpensive and not heavy duty, but are enough to turn the engine slowly with the plugs in. Google rubber strap wrench and you'll find several. The other nice thing is that the rubber strap and plastic handle will not scratch up a freshly painted or powder coated pulley! A strap wrench will work in either direction, so always turn the way the engine runs as has been suggested.

[ja17]

Hello,

Some of the early 230SLs may have a 22mm bolt.

 Removing the spark plugs and using a remote starter switch makes it a snap. You can get it very close with the switch and just adjust it by hand. The positive lead of the remote starter can be connected to the small wire on the wire terminal block on the side of the oil sub pan, or at the plug of the neutral-safety switch (if an automatic trans), or the "W" terminal of the thermo time switch. 

[66andBlue]

Jordan,
take a look at the  Valve Adjustment Tour: http://www.sl113.org/wiki/Restricted/ValveAdjustmentTour
and especially the legend to Figure 3.
It shows the remote starter that Joe described and how to set it up.