Hand crank the engine

[BERNIEHUMBER]

HI:
I went up to where the Europa is stored and was going to put a little oil in each plug hole and crank the engine over as it has not run in a year or so.
Well I brought the battery but forgot the keys(one of those aging things).
I did turn the engine over by putting the car in 4th and pushing.I had thought about turning it over using the crank bolt but said no to that.
The crank pulley has 4 bolts so I thought of attaching a bar with two holes drilled out to correspond to the 2 of the 4 on the pulley.
If it ever happens again has anyone got a smarter idea or is there a tool that someone has used in the past?
Thanks

[jbcollier]

Putting it in fourth and pushing is the best way.  Nothing wrong with using a wrench on the crank nut other than it is hard to get to.

[4129R]

Nothing wrong with using a wrench on the crank nut other than it is hard to get to.

and remembering to turn it in the correct direction so you are not undoing the bolt.

[jbcollier]

The crank nut is more than tight enough to go either way.

[4129R]

The crank nut is more than tight enough to go either way.

if the engine turns freely and hopefully is not seized.

[Dilkris]

I believe the Cam Chain Tensioner is located on the cam chain return run - this being so, it will not appreciate having the cam chain moving in a direction it is not supposed to so I would personally make sure you are turning the engine in the correct direction.

[jbcollier]

35+ years of turning engines, there is absolutely no problem turning an engine "backwards".  It will not damage the cam chain tensioner.

[BERNIEHUMBER]

HI:
I started turning the engine over with a socket on the crank (clockwise,plugs out) and found it not as easy as I would have liked.
So I put it in 4th and pushed it a ways and the rotation was counterclockwise after again putting oil in each cylinder.
It's a pain to have the car in storage 1.5 hours away from the house as I have to plan each excursion like an arctic expedition.
I got a Sunbeam Tiger in my half of a 2.5 car garage as my wife claims the other half(cheaper than a lawyer).
The Tiger got the engine fogged yesterday(ran on idle and storage oil sprayed in the carb till quit).
That has worked for me over the years of Tiger ownership.
Now that I am retired a bungalow with a 3 car garage is becoming very appealing and an easy wife-sell. 

[4129R]

Now that I am retired a bungalow with a 3 car garage is becoming very appealing and an easy wife-sell.

Bit drastic selling the wife to get a bigger garage.

[BERNIEHUMBER]

HI Norfolk:
To stay married one has to be the ultimate in sales techniques(different styles for different occasions).
I call it wife-sell.
There are two motorcycles along with the tiger on my side of the garage but we are in the look mode for a bungalow because the house we have presently is too large (has 4 of everything except the garage) and now we have mega leaves to pick up...
A friend of mine used to collect vets but was married 3 times(not a good sales person).
The thing I like about cars,bikes and old pinball machines is you can get totally evolved mentally and other issues drift off. 

[4129R]

If you want to know who loves you more, the wife or the dog, shut each one in turn in the boot (trunk) of your car, and see what their reaction to you is when you open the boot after 10 minutes, to let them out.

I have two treble garages, a quadruple car port, and I am on my second wife.

At least she knows where to find me.

Alex in Norfolk.

[BERNIEHUMBER]

HI Alex:
Well done my son!