UK Car Repair: changing timing belt on Vectra with automatic gearbox, crank shaft, worst case scenario

Question
I am considering changing timing belt and pump on 1996 opel vectra 1.6 16v. According to some kind of manual I have this does not look such a hard thing to do, apart from the very first step - removing accessory belt driving wheel at the end of crank shaft. To unscrew the bolt crank shaft needs to be blocked, which is pretty straightforward if car has manual gearbox, however this starts to seem to be an unsolvable problem for automatic one... Unfortunately, my manual does not help here either.


Answer
Well, I use this method for timing belts on the roadside. I remove the spark plugs and pour a half an ounce or so of light motor oil into the cylinders thought the plug holes.
I then reinstall the plugs and unscrew the bolt from the crank. The oil will hydro locks the cylinders and prevent the engine from turning over while you remove the bolt. After the bolt has been removed from the pulley, quickly reinstall it for a moment and do not tighten it, just thread it in by hand. Then remove the spark plugs and the EFI fuse from the fuse panel and spin the engine over on the starter to blow all the oil out of the cylinders. After which you can use the starter and an assistant to help you line up the gear marks. I prefer to use a set of locking pliers "vise grips" to retain the belt when I am installing a new one. I also prefer to cut the belt lengthwise to half its normal width and rotate it until I have effectively made the belt narrower. Then, I cut off the outer most band of my now two piece belt and slide the new belt onto the front half of the pulley with all the tooth counts matching up insuring that I have a proper alignment. I can then slide the new belt on as far as the rest of the old belt will let it and cut off the remaining old belt and slide the new one the rest of the way on and set the tensioner. Simple without any need of fighting with 1/2 tooth discrepancies and such. I would try it that way, worst case scenario, you goof it and cut the old belt off in whole and have to time it from scratch.


Regards,


John