if i am past 1TDC by about 60 degrees of the crank, would it be ok to turn the engine backwards or will I be sucking in things i do not want to from the exhuast manifold??

 

You'll be fine.

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ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R

GO #3

 

UVA,

There really shouldn't be anything that harmful in the exhaust manifolds to get in the engine, so it should be O.K.

The bigger problem is that by turning the engine backward from the harmonic balancer center bolt, the bolt might loosen. You should retorque the bolt if that occurs.

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Later,
Vader
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"I cannot take this any more... Saying everything I've said before..."
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You can buy a flywheel tool. This hooks to the teeth of the ring gear and lets you turn the engine from the back so you don't have any problems with the bolt backing out.

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'82 Firebird, dead stock, 9 bolt disc rear, over 200,000 miles and still going strong, more to come...