MG Car Repair: MG Midget ignition timing, fan blade, test light

Question
I need to change the contact points on my 1973 Midget. Is there a special spanner to get to the large nut on the end of the crankshaft so I can easily rotate the engine?

Answer
Hi Charles,
There are wrenches that fit the front bolt on the crank but while working in MG dealerships we just removed the spark plugs. (we usually had them out anyway doing a tune-up)
Put the car in 4th gear w/ hand brake off and you can easily rotate the crank by moving the car. Set the crank on the timing mark then rotate the distributor forward then against the direction of rotation to take out all of the slack in the distributor drive and with a 12v test light on the points side of the coil and key on, rotate the distributor very slowly until the test light comes on. (points opened) Lock down the distributor and back the car up a little and move the car very slowly forward watching the fan blade move very slowly and the instant the test light comes on again look at the crank timing marks to see if it is correct. If not you can usually make minor adjustments on the distributor with the adjustment knob (if it has one)
let me know,
Howard