When I was diagnosing a leaking exhaust valve in a Ford 352 engine I hit it with air and the engine turned.
The rope is soooo much safer, especially for someone not really familiar with doing it.
Couple of feet of 1/4 nylon rope works perfect.
I have done it just using the piston at TDC and no air or rope either one, but it was a little bit more of a pain in the backside because you have to keep the valve up when putting the springs back on.
Just a little pressure to one side on the stem helps, but the rope is fail proof.
If you want ship your eye over and I'll show it.:rofl:
