thanks ahead of time..

 

Nope, just make sure it's in neutral/park.

If the plugs are out, it is slightly easier to turn the engine to each adjustment mark because the compression won't be there to try to push it past.

 

thanks!!

Do you know the pistons # from left (passenger side) to right ?

Looking at the service manual...
"Align the No. 3 piston TDC groove (A) on the camshaft sprocket with the top edge of the head."

Does this mean on the sprocket will be a number "3" and have it pointed up?

 

You'll see this. Notice the mark on the right side in this picture; that will be parallel with the top of the cylinder head.

IIRC the A is when cylinder 1 is TDC, and at each other quarter turn the gear has the corresponding cylinder at TDC on it. Mine was A-3-4-2. That's why this pic says #2 - as piston 2 is at TDC, it would be checked with the cam gear in this position. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise to move to the next one (half turn on the crank = quarter turn at the cam), and it'll come up in the engine's firing order 1-3-4-2.

You can also double check yourself using the firing order; for example, if cylinder 1 is at TDC and ready to check, the one ahead of it in the order is ending the intake stroke (#3 will have intake valve partially down), the one behind will be through the compression stroke (#2 will have exhaust valves mostly open and intake valves starting to open), and the one opposite will be at TDC ending exhaust stroke(#4 will have both sets of valves partially open). That's why it's important to check only the one at TDC after its intake stroke. If you set a cylinder to TDC with the cam gear, and it is pushing a valve, STOP AND DOUBLE CHECK WHERE THE ERROR WAS MADE. We don't like messed up engines from simple procedures.

The cylinder closest to the gear is #1, the one closest to the tranny is #4, just as if it was a rear wheel drive car and the engine were longitudinal.

I'm betting the (A) you are referring to is in a diagram labeled Diagram A.