Hangar Flying

I've bought a Long with standard L2C 0-235 that needed work, ran the engines and have a mag drop.  Looking to taking the mags out for overhaul, it seems that you need to take the engine mount off the bearers and swing it forward to get enough room!  Is this the standard way or can you wangle the thing out once the ignition leads are off?  Even if you can do that it seems pretty difficult to get the locking pin for the mag timing in and out - or have I missed something?  Any advice would be appreciated
Ron Pearson