I'm sure it is posted but I can't find it. I'm replacing the timing chains and tensioners in my '99 xk8 v8
4.0 motor. I'm having a difficult time finding the crankshaft alignment hole. Any help is appreciated.
-Craig

 

it is in the bell housing, rubber bung in a round hole roughly at the centre/ bottom.

 

Craig,

I've moved your question from General Tech Help to XK8/XKR forum. Many members here with the same model have already done this and will be able to help.

Graham

 

Do you have JTIS? There is a detailed explanation in there. Best to read it completely and understand the whole process before you start.
Do you have the camshaft lockers? And a big torque wrench?

 

DO NOT use the crankshaft holding tool to hold the crankshaft from rotating when attempting to remove the harmonic balancer.

Under no circumstances is the engine to be rotated in an anti clock direction when viewed from the front of the vehicle or damage to the main and rod bearings will result.

 

I knew not to use the camshaft locking tools to stop the crank rotating but why is it not a good idea to use the crankshaft locking tool i.e. the large spanner like tool not the pin that fits in the bell housing? I used the crank locking 'spanner' that came with the tools I hired to do my chains and I'm not sure how else I would have managed to loosen the balancer bolt.

 

I locked the engine via the transmission bell housing (flywheel).

 

In the post you are referring to, I suspect he's got the alignment tool(pin) confused
with the locking spanner.