Turning Engine Over by Hand

[PatK]

Hi all, this may seem a dumb question, but what is the easiest way to turn a Vitesse 2L Mk2 engine over by hand, when setting tappets etc. I had been advised to pull on the plastic fan blade to turn it over, but that seems very hard to do. I was hoping to be able to fit a socket on the crankshaft pulley but with the fan in situ there does not appear to be a large single nut on the centre of the pulley.

There must be an easier way!

Thanks.  Pat

[Pete Lewis]

Crank pulley should have a 5/8unf bolt holding it on

How ever you turn it taking spark plugs out makes it easier

You can always Put in top gear and push 

Pete

[Anglefire]

Or, you could lift a wheel and turn that whilst in gear 

 

[daverclasper]

I take plugs out and use the fan.

Dave

[dougbgt6]

In 4th gear I sit on the wheel and shuffle the car back and forth. Plugs out makes it even easier.

[Colin Lindsay]

14 hours ago, dougbgt6 said:

In 4th gear I sit on the wheel and shuffle the car back and forth. Plugs out makes it even easier.

That's a rather unsettling mental picture..... "left buttock down a bit.... right buttock down a bit.... stop!" Is there such a thing as 'bottom dead centre'?

[dougbgt6]

Also bear in mind that I'm a GT6 owner and therefore wearing Speedos. 

[Ben Caswell]

4 hours ago, Colin Lindsay said:

That's a rather unsettling mental picture..... "left buttock down a bit.... right buttock down a bit.... stop!" Is there such a thing as 'bottom dead centre'?

I think we are getting a bit anal now??

[Pete Lewis]

I guess if dougs in his speedos the tyre tread pattern is revealed ???

[dougbgt6]

I'll send you some selfies.

[PatK]

Thanks everyone for all the useful info, now all I need to do is get a nice pair of speedos with a high friction seat patch!

[Anglefire]

And don't forget to take it out of gear before turning the ignition  key - or your speedos could change colour

 

[Colin Lindsay]

If he can reach the ignition key whilst sitting on the front wheel... that's either some mod, or else he's got the arms of an orang-utan..

[dougbgt6]

I normally sit on the passenger side wheel, but you could sit on the driver's side. I still don't think I could do it, But JohnD's friend on his avatar might manage it!

[Anglefire]

3 hours ago, Colin Lindsay said:

If he can reach the ignition key whilst sitting on the front wheel... that's either some mod, or else he's got the arms of an orang-utan..

To be fair, I was thinking more when you get back in the car and forget to knock it out of gear before starting it - as the thing leaping forwards would give me a trouser moment!