I assure you, it's tighter in a 603 It takes a bit... okay, a lot of wiggling. Sometimes I set the socket in place then 'click' on the ratchet.

[edit] Just went out to try it. My Craftsman 27mm socket is 41mm tall. Set the socket on the ratchet, send the ratchet up to the pulley from the alternator side where there's more room, set the socket on the crank bolt. In 603, there's about an inch between the shroud and the pulley, just room for the ratchet handle.

Sixto
87 300D