Can I "bump the starter"?

[DavidT]

What started out to be just a check to make sure everything was in time, turned out to be a cam seal fest (I decided to tear everything down to replace all 3 seals)
Dumb me though. I took out the battery, engine roll dampener, both accessory belts, upper timing cover, intake crossover tube, and THEN I decide to loosen the crank bolt.
The crank pulley just spins when I try to loosen the bolt. I put a strap wrench on the pulley, but I can't budge the bolt.
MY QUESTION>>> Is it too late to try the "bump the starter" trick? Can I just hook the battery up and NOTHING else? I really don't want to start reassembling things just to loosen that bolt headbang

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Yup, it should work fine. Make sure you use a 6-pt socket only.

 

[sdpatt]

I use a piece of 5/8" plywood fitted under the socket wrench handle as it lay on the front subframe. This gives the handle something to bite into rather than slip on the steel subframe hen the starter is bumped. For those that are doing this, just make sure the DIS connectors have been removed before turning the key. Obviously with the crossover (balance) tube off in this topic this is not a problem here.