Hi, few questions guys. Appreciate any feedback.

Any specifics I should know about cranking engine manually at the center bolt? I read somewhere you have to do clockwise?
Some say you need to take spark plugs out, is that true? Would be nice is someone could give a link to the diagram.
Going to change the vacuum pump and if that groove on the exhaust camshaft doesn't stop vertically may have to crank it.

 

you can turn the engine via the center bolt. if i remember right, yes clockwise is the way to turn. you could go counter clockwise, but you risk loosening the main pulley bolt, which you'd have to retorque to specs.
you dont have to remove sparkplugs, but you'll have to turn slowly, as the cylinder pressures bleed off.

but why do you have to turn the engine and camshaft to install the vacuum pump? just turn the rotor on the the pump itself to align up the slot.

 

turboawd
Thanks!

Yes, you can turn the rotor on the vacuum pump, but that little flap also rotates sideways. If you align it horizontally it would definitely stay that way, but the flap would tilt downwards and the pump wouldn't seat property.
TIS also suggests doing that http://tis.spaghetticoder.org/s/view.pl?1/07/45/33

One more thing, just to double check, that's the center bolt?
https://5series.net/forums/uploads/m...3514_thumb.jpg
Or am I looking at the wrong pic? https://5series.net/forums/topic/122...-bmw%E2%80%99/

 

There is no way in this world you will be able to loosen the crank nut by turning the nut counter counter clockwise with just a ratchet and normal cylinder compression. Turn that thing away, have at it!

 

you could just bump the engine with the starter until it lines up for you.

 

So true! People in the know don't call it the "Jesus bolt" for nothing (yes, it is a bolt, not a nut). Torque is in the 375 ft-lb neighborhood (forget the exact number).

 

you underestimate the strength of my arms.

 

lol.