I need to pull the tranny out. To do so I need to turn the engine by hand in order to reach the converter bolts.
What's the best way to do this without the tool?

 

turn the alternator

 

x2 on that

 

To add, I believe that it is a 24mm socket ,and you turn counterclockwise(I could be wrong on that part, going from memory which is sketchy sometimes)

 

I didn't have any luck with that in the past. Is there an alternate method in case it fails again?

 

Here's a barring tool for 40 dollars http://www.genosgarage.com/prodinfo....r=TOOL_3824591 ...Mark

 

I know about the barring tool. Unfortunately, I need to pull it this afternoon. Schedules change and if I don't do it now it won't get done until spring.

 

take off the little cover on the bottom of the bellhousing.You can turn it over by carefully putting a big slotted screwdriver in the teeth and push it that way.

 

I put my truck in 1st gear and stuck a pry bar in the yoke/u joint and turned it that way................easy

 

I think he's doin an auto, he's tryin to get his converter out. That is a good option for a 5spd though.

 

Use the flexplate teeth. I was afraid of that too but it turns over real easy

 

Use a 15mm one of the balancer bolts. Just make sure your not tightening the bolt and swith from bolt to bolt often.

 

Ditto this. The alternator works great for turning the engine (backwards only) unless the belt is oily, but that's just not feasible when you are under the truck, working on the transmission.

 

Thanks guys. Turning the alternator backwards did it. I was always trying to turn it forward.

The good/bad news is that the low/reverse bad was burning the drum. Everything else looked great. Not bad for 269,000 miles of abuse.

 

I'm too lazy to get out from under the truck and use a big flat-blade screwdriver to roll the engine over a couple of flywheel teeth at a time.