Help, please . . . Engine Tear Down Question

04-11-2001, 03:21 PM

Overhaul of 3.6L engine on an '89 C4

Next step is remove cam housings, but...

Any trick to getting the main bracket on front of the engine (holds A/C compressor and is anchor point for engine mounts)without removing the pullys/harmonic balancer?

If not, will a standard gear puller work to remove the harmonic balancer? A generic balancer puller won't work. Naturally, I don't have the special tool.

Thanks.

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Steve
'89 Carrera 4
'62 190 SL

04-11-2001, 05:56 PM

the bracket simply unbolts, exposing the crank pulley, which is held on with a bolt, after which it will fall off in your hand. the bolt is real tight!

04-12-2001, 04:01 AM

I got all of the nuts that attach the bracket off, and I got the bolt that goes into the crankshaft and through the pully off, too. However, the pully interferes with getting the bracket off because the studs are so long. I can't get a bite on the studs because there's not much sticking out, only about 1/2 inch of threads.

04-12-2001, 10:40 AM

I also had to remove the pulley to get the AC bracket off. Mine came off with little effort, didn't even need a puller.

David

04-12-2001, 12:04 PM

can't picture your problem. i assume the engine is out, on a stand or a bench, and the muffler and rear sheet metal piece is off already. you would remove the a/c brackets, muffler hanger and the 4 nuts on the mount console and pull it off. then remove the pulley bolt.

04-12-2001, 03:17 PM

Engine was on the stand exactly as you described. However, my pulley was on the crank very tight - apparently, it's a press fit.

I ended up buying some 6mm x 90 mm bolts, and then used them with my ol' pulley remover by removing three of the allen headed short bolts on the harmonic balancer. It actually took some effort, but it popped off, finally. It definitely would not have come off by pulling by hand, let alone dropping off in my hand. The A/C bracket just couldn't get over the pulleys until removed.

Current status: 6 heads & cylinders removed. Now I'm wondering whether or not, in addition to all the other stuff I NEED to do, to renew the rod bolts while I'm this far.