83 Hi - ace 3Y engine: How do you turn the crank when changing points?

[Big chris]

I have an 83 Hi - ace commuter bus, with 2 litre 3Y engine.

II intend to change the points for the first time in my ownership, before committing myself I tried to "walk through" the task rather than stuff myself up.

Anyway, I can't turn the engine to set it to the point at which you swap the points over. I tried to get a spanner or socket onto the nut of the crank pulley. There's a huge radiator shroud in the way. The shroud is part of the radiator, or least aways, it's not easy to remove togain access to the crank.

Or, is there an easier way to turn the engine?

[darin]

Hi Big Chris

Find a hill, or slope with plenty of space in front.

Turn the key to accessories, NOT ON THAT DASH LIGHTS COME ON. Hand brake on. Take the distributor cap off, and rotor. Put the vehicle in 4th gear, foot on the brake pedal, take hand brake off. Slowly take pressure off the brake pedal, and let the vehicle move forward in 4th gear. You will see the distributor cam move around and hear the hiss of compression as pistons move and the engine turns over. Do this until the cam lobe reaches the highest point.

Make sure you choose a quiet safe spot to do this.

No liability accepted for this advice, but I have been doing it this way for my 79 hiace for the last 17 years, without any problems setting point gaps.

Good luck

darin

Edited May 31, 2014 by darin