I take the dist. out. Not difficult. I mark the dist. cam to the plate as a reference for a double check when putting the dist. back on. As long as the cam screw is tight, the dist./motor timing will not change.
There may be other methods, or perhaps a special tool, I do not know.
I have the special tool. It makes the job quick and easy.
How do you re-torque no.1 headbolt ? Meaning the which is 'under' the distributor, without removing the dist. First ?
Should the retorquing be done when the engine is hot or warm or cold?