I want to pull my distributer out so I can replace the intake manifold. The book I have says to take the distributor cap off and rotate the engine so that its pointing to spark plug #1. I'm clicking the starter on in real short bursts, but I still overshot spark plug #1. If I keep doing it this way its going to take me a long time. I thought someone said you can put a big wrench on the center flywheel bolt and rotate it that way. Is this how it should be done? Can rotate the engine in the opposite way it normally goes? I'm real close right now. The timing mark is at about the -6 degrees mark...meaning I overshot TDC by about 6 degrees. Do I need to go all the way around again?

Engineer, there is nothing preventing that engine from rotating the other way. In fact, if the spark plugs are out, you can probably get a good enough grip on the pulleys to just grab them and move it to where you want it.

At least, that's what I've always done- sometimes with the plugs in!

Actually, if you make a careful notation of where the rotor is pointing when you remove it, it doesn't matter where the engine is lined up. Just put it back in the same place!

You can use a socket on the front crankshaft bolt but it may loosen if you try to rotate it backwards.

Like was said, if you mark where the rotor is pointing plus mark where the distributor is pointing, you can just put it back where it was as long as you don't rotate the engine any while the distributor is out.

I take a ratchet or break over and put it on the alt and push on the belt and it turns fairly easy..... just how we always did it when I worked at a mechanic shop.....

Maybe I'm making this harder than it really is. I left the engine as is, I marked the position of the distributor vacuum canistor relative to the valve cover and then I marked the position along the edge of the distributor as to where the "firing pointer" (for lack of a better term) is pointing to. I then pulled it out. The end of the distributor shaft has a rectangular block on the end of it. Does this mean it can only go in one of 2 ways? One the correct way, and the other , 180 degrees out of phase? Provided I don't turn the engine. I'm paranoid of being off a gear tooth or 2. Thanks,

The better term is "rotor".

The rectangular block engages the oil pump.

It'll drop back in if you're in the right spot otherwise it takes some fiddling to get that oil pump to re-engage.