I've read in some auto repair manuals to pull the coil wire and spin the motor. I'd like to visit the authors and give them all a swift kick in the ass. What a crappy idea.
It isnt too difficult to pull the distributor and oil pump drive so you can prime the motor. After only a few days, the lifters can bleed down, as well as all the oil galleys. Once the pump starts spinning, the crankshaft gets oil first, then the cam bearings. Dry cranking an old motor will accelerate wear everywhere.