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Good way to turn over engine by hand?

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Old Sep 18, 2014 | 09:36 AM
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Default Good way to turn over engine by hand?

Is there a good way to do this? On my chevy truck with the 5.3 LS1-based motor I've got plenty of clearance to get a socket on the crank bolt. In my '00 vert I've barely got enough clearance to get just the socket on the bolt but can't get it and the wrench or an extension on with it due to the steering rack being in the way.
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Old Sep 18, 2014 | 09:40 AM
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You might have to do it from the bottom. Keep in mind that if you leave the plugs in you're going to need at least 70-80 lbs of force to turn the bolt; you might want to remove the spark plugs- That'll reduce it to about 40-50 lbs, which could help in tight confines.
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Old Sep 18, 2014 | 10:34 AM
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Plugs in or out?
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Old Sep 18, 2014 | 10:42 AM
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I modified a 24mm socket (pic below) that fits in front of the rack that I use to turn the engine over by hand without disassembling anything. Simple to make one of these.

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Old Sep 18, 2014 | 10:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Patches
I modified a 24mm socket (pic below) that fits in front of the rack that I use to turn the engine over by hand without disassembling anything. Simple to make one of these.

Patches, that looks like something that would work. Looks like I need to take my 24mm socket to a grinder!

Edit - Is there a reason why you centered the added flats on the sockets' corners instead of its flats?
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Old Sep 18, 2014 | 11:04 AM
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Originally Posted by enoniam
Patches, that looks like something that would work. Looks like I need to take my 24mm socket to a grinder!

Edit - Is there a reason why you centered the added flats on the sockets' corners instead of its flats?
Makes no difference - you aren't gong to use the internal socket anyway. I think I just tried to leave as much metal as possible to maximize strength. You use the flats with an open end wrench. You might be able to do a hex to make it easier to position the wrench but the four sides worked for me.
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Old Sep 18, 2014 | 12:57 PM
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Strap wrench works great for me, but you have to take the belts off to use it.
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Old Sep 18, 2014 | 02:13 PM
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I bought this at Lowes. Works like a champ.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_194811-25428...ductId=3713950


edit: I taped this socket to a combo wrench.
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Old Sep 19, 2014 | 01:29 AM
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if you don't have headers and the car is a 6spd you could take off the inspection cover and use a flywheel turner... if you have headers it would be way too much of a hassle and taking the plugs out will make it much easier whichever method you use
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Old Sep 19, 2014 | 02:43 AM
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I bought a 5-piece 45 degree offset box end wrench set at AutoZone for $18 (p/n 70-032). Used the 15/16" wrench (pictured below) ... fit without interference. Used it during the valve spring swap-out, worked well.

Name:  OffsetWrenchonZ06CrankBolt-1.jpg
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Last edited by ZeeOSix; Dec 29, 2014 at 05:27 PM. Reason: Fixed Photobucket link
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Old Sep 19, 2014 | 07:53 AM
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Originally Posted by ZeeOSix
I bought a 5-piece 45 degree offset box end wrench set at AutoZone for $18 (p/n 70-032). Used the 15/16" wrench (pictured below) ... fit without interference. Used it during the valve spring swap-out, worked well.




I did something similar....bought a long length, 24 MM box/open end combo wrench at Lowes. Works well.
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Old Sep 19, 2014 | 09:29 AM
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Originally Posted by ZeeOSix
I bought a 5-piece 45 degree offset box end wrench set at AutoZone for $18 (p/n 70-032). Used the 15/16" wrench (pictured below) ... fit without interference. Used it during the valve spring swap-out, worked well.
I copied this as well...good luck!
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Old Sep 19, 2014 | 02:10 PM
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Originally Posted by enoniam
Is there a good way to do this? On my chevy truck with the 5.3 LS1-based motor I've got plenty of clearance to get a socket on the crank bolt. In my '00 vert I've barely got enough clearance to get just the socket on the bolt but can't get it and the wrench or an extension on with it due to the steering rack being in the way.
Put a socket and ratchet on the alternator pulley nut. You can rotate the engine backwards. The belt slips if you try to rotate in the normal direction.

Try it. It works! I've got a C5 and an LS swapped Nova. I've used this on both. Even with the plugs in.

Ron
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Old Sep 19, 2014 | 02:56 PM
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Originally Posted by RonSSNova
Put a socket and ratchet on the alternator pulley nut. You can rotate the engine backwards. The belt slips if you try to rotate in the normal direction.

Try it. It works! I've got a C5 and an LS swapped Nova. I've used this on both. Even with the plugs in.

Ron
I have done this too. If you put some extra tension on the auto tensioner, you can turn it clockwise.
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Old Dec 26, 2014 | 09:16 PM
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FYI: I have a pass-throught tool set that works well from the top.
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Old Dec 29, 2014 | 04:39 PM
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Sounds like some very good ideas here. Thanks to all for sharing!
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Old Jan 1, 2015 | 01:21 PM
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Originally Posted by enoniam
Sounds like some very good ideas here. Thanks to all for sharing!
Some interesting ideas.
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Old Apr 30, 2018 | 12:15 AM
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Originally Posted by Tech
I bought this at Lowes. Works like a champ.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_194811-25428...ductId=3713950


edit: I taped this socket to a combo wrench.
I wish they still sold this
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Old Apr 30, 2018 | 10:53 AM
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Would this work? With the car in gear and the back tires jacked up far enough to clear the ground, turn a tire. Shouldn't that turn the engine over? Assuming it is a manual transmission.

Last edited by glbeauchamp; Apr 30, 2018 at 11:12 AM.
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