Removing the crankshaft pulley bolt

[bcgreen]

I am trying to remove the crankshaft bolt so I can repair a leak. My impact gun is too long to fit under the partially dropped engine, so I am resorting to trying to undo it with a breaker bar. What I am concerned about is how to undo the bolt without the crankshaft moving. Am I correct, that the crankshaft must not be moved or I will be in trouble?
This is on a '76 Carrera.

[Trackrash]

Fifth gear, parking brake on?

[bcgreen]

Originally Posted by Trackrash

Fifth gear, parking brake on?

Disconnected the coupler because this is a partial engine drop.
Are you saying I should pull the parking brake, and will that be enough not to spin the crankshaft?
A big-ass breaker bar is just going to turn the engine over, backwards, even if I have somebody hold the brakes.

[Dpmulvan]

Can you get a swivel socket in there?

[bcgreen]

Probably

[Trackrash]

I would try the brakes. If the parking brake doesn't do it have someone press the brake pedal. You still can select 5th using the shift rod.

If that doesn't work, does the pulley have holes in it?

[bcgreen]

Originally Posted by Trackrash

I would try the brakes. If the parking brake doesn't do it have someone press the brake pedal. You still can select 5th using the shift rod.

If that doesn't work, does the pulley have holes in it?

With the amount of torque necessary to loosen the bolt, do you think pushing on the brake pedal, emergency brake, which affect the wheels and not the crank,and placing the gear in 5th, is enough to prevent the crank from turning?
Have I got this all wrong with the brake pedal and the emergency hand brake affecting the wheels only and not the engine?
Yes, the pulley has 2 holes.

[Trackrash]

Originally Posted by bcgreen

With the amount of torque necessary to loosen the bolt, do you think pushing on the brake pedal, emergency brake, which affect the wheels and not the crank,and placing the gear in 5th, is enough to prevent the crank from turning?
Have I got this all wrong with the brake pedal and the emergency hand brake affecting the wheels only and not the engine?
Yes, the pulley has 2 holes.

In fifth gear you should easily be able to keep the motor from turning, as long as the bolt isn't really stuck.

I would try that, if it doesn't work, jamb something through the hole in the pulley to lock it.

[bcgreen]

Originally Posted by Trackrash

In fifth gear you should easily be able to keep the motor from turning, as long as the bolt isn't really stuck.

I would try that, if it doesn't work, jamb something through the hole in the pulley to lock it.

To put something through the hole or holes would require 2 people, one to torque the bolt off and another person to hold a couple of screw drivers in the holes.
Someone mentioned putting a screwdriver into the ring gear. What do you know about that?

[Ronnie's.930]

Personally, I would do whatever it takes to get an air-impact in there - a quick pull of the trigger and the bolt is out with no need to hold the pulley at all . . .

[manbridge 74]

Engine turns clockwise so you could use the time honored back yard Billy method.
Ie; quick burst of starter after bracing the breaker bar firmly.

[Tippy]

Mine was so hard to get out, I couldn't believe it. Craftsman 1/2" impact almost could not break it. I pulled out a 3/4" impact, but didn't have the socket needed. After several minutes of rapping on it, it finally broke free.

[bcgreen]

Originally Posted by Ronnie's.930

Personally, I would do whatever it takes to get an air-impact in there - a quick pull of the trigger and the bolt is out with no need to hold the pulley at all . . .

Are those available as a rental. My cordless won't touch that bolt.

[bcgreen]

Originally Posted by manbridge 74

Engine turns clockwise so you could use the time honored back yard Billy method.
Ie; quick burst of starter after bracing the breaker bar firmly.

Would you think its best to have have someone back there as well?

[bcgreen]

Originally Posted by Tippy

Mine was so hard to get out, I couldn't believe it. Craftsman 1/2" impact almost could not break it. I pulled out a 3/4" impact, but didn't have the socket needed. After several minutes of wrapping on it, it finally broke free.

What do you mean by wrapping on it? Can you give me more details?
Thanks

[Tippy]

Misspelled. Rapping, like beating on it for a long time.

[bcgreen]

Originally Posted by Tippy

Misspelled. Rapping, like beating on it for a long time.

And how did you prevent the crank from turning?

[Rod Schneider]

There should be no problem with the crank turning while you loosen the bolt. Once it's broken loose you can always turn the crank and put it where you want it before completely removing the bolt. The pulley is indexed with a pin to the crank, so it will only fit back on one way.

[bcgreen]

Good to know, thanks.

[bcgreen]

Here's an update. Put the wife in the driver's seat with the gear in 5th, parking brake on, without hardly any affect on stopping the crankshaft from turning. The crank shaft turned without hardly any torque on the bolt. Maybe there is so much play in the drive train that I should have moved the breaker bar further than I went. I went from 8 o'clock to 4 o'clock with hardly any resistance.
Next step is finding out how I can get an air impact wrench for a few minutes of work.