crankshaft pulley removal

[chris84944]

So I started with a broken timing belt. Then in the process of removing the head I found a lovely surprise from the original owner... Stripped out camshaft bolts!!! I probably could have found a way to work it out but I decided to just rebuild. I removed the engine, I have the intake/exhaust off, the camshaft is now off, head is in the machine shop, I just got all the rebuild stuff in the mail but I am getting hung up on the crankshaft pulley. I've read both that you need a flywheel lock to stop the engine from turning while you remove the pulley bolt, and also that you can just use a screwdriver or allen wrench to jam it up where the starter motor is installed. I've tried the latter cause I don't have a flywheel lock and it seemed to work okay but I could not torque the bolt off when I was jumping up and down on the end of my torque wrench. Is there something I don't know about this pulley like is it reverse threaded or anything? Also do I absolutely need a flywheel lock or is the problem just a stubborn bolt.

Chris

[zedsn]

Hi, I was able to have a friend hold the flywheel in place with a screwdriver while I was able to loosten the bolt. The bolt is torqued on at 150 which is quite alot! Try it again. I am pretty sure if my memory serves me correctly it is anti clockwise to get it off. I messed up a new seal trying to put it on after a front end seal job. You will have to carefully remove a sleave, put the seal in and then re put in the sleave.

[white944cup]

I just when through this same thing doing a top end job because of a stripped timing belt. I got the crankshaft bolt to come off very easily using a 1/2" air impact wrench without using the flywheel lock. It is definitely not a l/h thread....put the car in 1st gear and give it a go. If you don't have an impact gun and are using a breaker bar, you will need to install the flywheel lock. When reinstalling the bolt you must use the flywheel lock to torque the crankshaft bolt properly to 154 ft. lbs or you risk having oil pressure problems because the oil pump is driven by friction only. Don't cut corners with this operation.....if you don't have a flywheel lock, you can get one pretty cheap and fast from Arnnworx. Also, don't forget to put a new o-ring on the forward end of the oil pump drive gear.....it's very small and easy to miss.

[fast924S]

Yea I too used a 1/2" air impact gun, It came off without a problem and I didnt need to hold the flywheel. I love air tools ;-)

[SoCal Driver]

You don't need to take the pulley off to replace the timing and balance belts. If the crank seal is good I would not remove the pulley.

[hpaulb]

Your looking at just a stuborn bolt. As the others said, if your taking it off to replace the seals, remember how it goes. Done a few and the oil pump gear never want to go all the way in. Had to play with it for awhile. Shaft key turns the oil pump. Torque just holds it in place.

[SoCal Driver]

There is no key way in the oil pump sleeve. The 150 lb's torque is the only thing that keeps it from spinning. Not my idea of a good design.

[fast924S]

I always thought it was stupid

[blown 944]

^^+1

[jwade944]

I just went through this on a short block I bought. I recommend buying or borrowing a flywheel lock. It is not too expensive and I have used mine numerous times over the years. On the short block, an impact wrench would not budge it and I broke a standard socket using a cheater bar. I finally heated it and put a 6 point impact socket on my cheater. It took 4 feet of pipe and all of my 220 pounds to loosen it.

[chris84944]

Alright guys, thanks for all the help I will give it another shot today after work and let you know how it goes