Replacing Rocker Housing 88 CI

In removing the rocker assemblies to get at the lower housing do you need to be sure you rotate the engine to relieve pressure on the push rods? I would think if they are loosened equally and slowly there should be equal pressure on all push rods as the rocker assembly comes up and you would not damage or bend push rods or rocker assemblies. If so, what is the best way to manually rotate the engine and insure the lifter is at the lowest point on the cam?

Thanks!

Rocker Replacement

Yes, you should rotate the engine to get the lifters on the base circle of the cams. The easiest way to do this is to have the rear wheel off the ground, transmission in 5th gear and rotate the wheel while observing the push rods and rockers. You will see the exhaust open and start to close, then the intake will open and close. Once the intake closes rotate the tire approx 3 inches and you will be on the base circle of the cam. If you do the rear cylinder first you won't have to turn the rear tire very far to start the front cylinder cycle. When you loosen the rocker arm support bolts make sure you only turn them about 1 turn and then go to the next bolt so you keep equal pressure across the plate and don't tweak anything. Same goes for installing the bolts. Also be sure you take out the bolts holding the oil/air separater as they can easily strip out if the larger bolts are removed first.

I found a little trick that I felt worked better/easier for checking for the base circle.

I remove the spark plugs and stuff a little wad of paper towell in the spark plug hole. Rotate the wheel in 5th gear as vybr9r said, and stop when the paper towell shoots out of the plug hole.

For the pressure to build up inside the cylinder high enough to push out the wadding, both valves have to be closed...at this time, you know you are on the base circle.

Rocker Replacement

Still seems odd to me. Anyway trust your judgement and will do as advised. Thanks Guys....