I zealously removed all of my rocker arms and pushrods and bagged them so now I realize I need to know which pistons are at TDC so that I can use the rope method (I can't watch the rocker arms).

So I have my damper index wheel on the damper and I need to know the pistons at TDC at 0, 90, 180, and 270. (clockwise rotation facing damper)

From the firing order:




I know 1 is at TDC at 0 degrees, would 6 be also?

So this is what I think:

0 deg: 1 and 6
90 deg: 5 and 8
180 deg: 4 and 7
270 deg: 2 and 3

 

I think you're making a lot harder than it needs to be.

With all the rockers off and all the spark plugs out, the engine should bar over by hand very easily. If you have rope in the #1 spark plug hole to change the valve seals, the next piston coming up on the firing order will already be at least half way up the cylinder.

You can either just do one cylinder at a time simply moving down the bank or use 2 ropes to get both cylinders as they reach TDC. Since the valves are not opening and closing, it doesn't really matter which cylinders you do in any order just as long as you do them all.

 

Hah! Very likely!

 

You are correct: #1 & #6 come to TDC together.

Line up the timing mark. At that point, #1 & #6 are at TDC. Do those 4 valves.

Turn the crank 90°. The next ones in the firing order, #8 & #5, are now at TDC. Do those 4 valves.

Turn the crank 90°. ...

1 6
8 5
4 7
3 2

Looks kinda like the firing order split in half into 2 columns, no?

Pretty straightforward, really.

 

Make sure all of your spark plugs are removed.
Don't remove all of the valve springs at once!
Because if you were to rotate the crank with this scenario,
a vacuum would be created in the cylinder. And...........
Your valves will disappear faster than you can say, "OH SH*T!