I am rebuilding the engine in my 8, and I'm to the point where I need to put the crank gear back on. Can I just turn the crankshaft a few times to see where TDC for number 1 is, and then put the crank gear on lined up with the mark on the block, or do I need to use a certain tool to find TDC?

 

As long as your crank trigger wheel is on in the right direction the crank gear can only go on one way. So just rotate it to line up with the timing mark on your front case. Since the engine actually isnt in time yet, since your timing belt is off, you can just line up the crank at TDC then do the rest of the timing.

Just make sure you have the trigger wheel on in the correct direction, or it will be 180* out if I remember right

 

How can I be sure that it is on in the right direction?

 

if the mark is showing.

 

If your trigger plate is used just look at the side that should have the imprint from the crank gear being on it, that'll be the easiest way.