Distributor fitting to Mark II automatic

[Orvieto]

Help please!
I have a Mark II automatic, and need to fit a reconditioned distributor, with Lumenition electronic ignition (the Newtronic system fitted when I bought the car has developed an intermittent fault, which has already left me stranded).
How do I turn the engine over so the No. 2 cylinder is at TDC, with the rotor in the correct position - pointing towards the outboard (offside) securing bolt of the coil mounting bracket - so that the rotor is pointing to the pick-up for No. 2 cylinder in the distributor cap?
According to the workshop manual one should turn the engine over - clockwise- with a monkey wrench on the crankshaft between the front of the engine block and the crankshaft pulley.
The problem is that the automatic gearbox oil radiator is in the way - below the crankshaft pulley.
There must be an easier way than having to remove the automatic gearbox radiator.

[nib]

Hi there
use the nut on the side of the power steering pulley turning over with big spanner on it, line the bottom pulley mark up with the 0 on the jagged quadrant and put the distributor with the rotor arm pointing at the ignition bolt as you say.

[Orvieto]

Thanks.
I have tried that, with all 8 spark plugs removed, so that there is no compression, but the power steering belt, which is not slack, simply slides around the crankshaft pulley.
As I said in my first post, the fault in the Newtronic ignition is intermittent: it is still fitted and today the car starts, and the power steering works perfectly well.
Any other ideas?

[nib]

Assuming right handed push down on the belt with left hand whilst turning nut with right hand.

[Orvieto]

Will try, and will report back.

[Orvieto]

Have just tried pressure on the upper run of the power steering belt, and turning the nut which attaches the power steering pump pulley to the pump. All 8 spark plugs still out, so no compression.
No joy!
The pressure on the belt stops it slipping, but the engine does not turn over, as through the engine were seized, which it is not, as I have just started it up - as I say the fault it the Newtronic system is intermittent - the engine ran, and the power steering worked as normal.

[nib]

The only other thing I can think of then is small cranks on the key and keep checking to see if you've landed somewhere at TDC.

[Orvieto]

Thanks.
That is almost a last resort - I can imagine the hours of trial and error!
I will try it tomorrow (Sunday), and if that fails the automatic gearbox oil cooler will have to come off.

[nib]

Collar someone to watch whilst you turn the key.

[DJT]

Open ended spanner on the crankshaft bolt? There should be enough space, but slip a sheet of cardboard in against the radiator to prevent damage.

[Bob Heritage]

All you need to do is remove one bolt from the quad, turn it out of the way, then you can turn it with a pair of 18" stillsons

[stag157.7]

agree bob that's how I did mine
it's not rocket science is it
al

[thebadleys]

I turned my engine over using a open ended spanner on the crank pulley.
Mine is also a Mk2 Auto, just mind your knuckles on the rad

Nigel

[robbo]

All you need to do is remove one bolt from the quad, turn it out of the way, then you can turn it with a pair of 18" stillsons

I Use stillsons as well.
Rob

[Orvieto]

All you need to do is remove one bolt from the quad, turn it out of the way, then you can turn it with a pair of 18" stillsons

Many thanks. Yes, I can see how removing the nearside timing quadrant securing bolt and slackening the offside one, so that I can swing the quadrant to the offside will enable me to get Stillsons on the crankshaft.

(Unfortunately I cannot get a spanner on the crankshaft end nut - as suggested by several members - because I have fitted a 4 row radiator and there is now insufficient room between the rear face of the radiator and the front end of the crankshaft.)

Advice on setting the static timing would be mush appreciated - I can see that it would be easy to get it 180 degrees out. Ian P sent me a PM last night (I was out) about this kindly offering to give advice, and I have replied, but I do not know when he will see the reply and be able to give that advice.