Tricks for removing crank pulley?

[RedBarchetta]

Stroked 351w in car.

With my McLeod bellhousing, I don't have an access door to prevent the flywheel from turning. I suppose I could remove the starter but I'm not too keen on cramming a screwdriver in there in hopes that it will actually keep the rotating mass from, urghhh....rotating. Plus with my luck I'll snap a tooth off the ring gear.

Is this a two man job (i.e. one grips the crank pulley from above while the other cranks on the ratchet from below), or should I procur an impact wrench and hit it with that? I think I have just enough room to work with one.

I also sprayed the lone bolt with a bunch of PB Blaster in hopes that some of the oil worked its way behind the bolt head.

Thanks for any advice!

-Dean

[Excaliber]

Impact wrench is your best bet, but you might need some extreme pressure even with that. I've had to run it up to 150 psi at times. For an even bigger boost beyond that add a few drops of oil to the gun just before you 'blast away'.

Typical home compressors may not allow for a 150 psi setting.

[vettestr]

Impact is the cats meow !! If you can shift tranny into high gear 4th/5th and then have anybody stand on the brakes.

[Maurice Butler]

Originally Posted by vettestr

Impact is the cats meow !! If you can shift tranny into high gear 4th/5th and then have anybody stand on the brakes.

4th is better - its direct drive
if you are using temec 5th get damaged with the high torque

[blykins]

Are you removing the balancer or just the pulley?

[vettestr]

Morning Maurice,
The bolt he is trying to remove is the bolt in the center of the crank. Applying force or torque to any of these bolts is certainly less harm to the tranny in any gear than the engines ability. The more gear ratio the better so if in 4th or 5th the cars resistance and the brakes applied will stop the crank from spinning so he can remove the bolt. You could twist all parts to remove the stacked up tolerances but not much of a problem I would worry about. Jeff C

[Rick Parker]

If you put it in gear (good idea) Use a breaker bar in lieu of impact wrench. Your transmission will be appreciative.

[RedBarchetta]

Originally Posted by blykins

Are you removing the balancer or just the pulley?

Both. Need to pull the timing cover to replace the fuel pump eccentric. I have the correct puller and installer for the balancer (and, no, it's not a mallet ).

Originally Posted by vettestr

The more gear ratio the better so if in 4th or 5th the cars resistance and the brakes applied will stop the crank from spinning so he can remove the bolt. You could twist all parts to remove the stacked up tolerances but not much of a problem I would worry about. Jeff C

Good tip. I will try this before seeking the impact wrench.

Thanks, everyone. That little bastard is on there good.

-Dean

[Jerry Clayton]

If you don't have an impact wrench you can disconnect the coil, put a socket on the bolt head, brace the breaker bar against the lower frame rail and bump the starter---it will screw the bolt loose-----

[vettestr]

Dean,
I helped a buddy pull the bolt out of a Viper crank after he tried everything. He told me it was torqued at 325 and lock-tite was used. I went to his shop loaded for bear and felt it would come or bleed 1 way or the other.

Put the tranny in high gear and stood on the brakes while we positioned a breaker bar with a 5 foot snipe or bar (made darn sure of L or Right thread pitch) and pulled a little. It did not budge. After getting in the best position I put a load on the snipe bar and then with a load already gave an explosive pull ........ I heard that high pitch snap and dammm near flew over the front end myself. It came loose and all was fine but it was on there pretty darn good!!! You will get it loose but don't get hurt when she comes loose. Jeff

[vector1]

Originally Posted by Jerry Clayton

If you don't have an impact wrench you can disconnect the coil, put a socket on the bolt head, brace the breaker bar against the lower frame rail and bump the starter---it will screw the bolt loose-----

i've used this one before. works real slick.

[Jerry Clayton]

and you aren't even that old

[Excaliber]

If clearance is a problem for a impact wrench, or not, how you gonna get the pulley off after the nut is out? You will still need clearance for a 'puller' and for the pulley itself.

[RedBarchetta]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

If clearance is a problem for a impact wrench, or not, how you gonna get the pulley off after the nut is out? You will still need clearance for a 'puller' and for the pulley itself.

Clearance should not be an issue:



I pulled the oil filter and the centerline of the crankshaft goes below the front crossmember by at least 3-4 inches. Should be okay.

How can I tell if I have a standard or reverse flow water pump? I'm going to change that out while I have it all apart (for insurance if nothing else).

[blykins]

You're standard.....serpentine is reverse.

[vector1]

Originally Posted by Jerry Clayton

and you aren't even that old

i'm sorry sir, for that you can make a right or left 360, your choice

[RedBarchetta]

Originally Posted by blykins

You're standard.....serpentine is reverse.

Thanks, Brent. That's what I thought...just wanted to make certain.

[Jerry Clayton]

Vector1

Last time I had a choice of left or right 360 was during a slow period back in 1970---Leaving LAX for either DTW or PIT about the time we got to cruise alt( near vegas) we were told to fly 360s over the canyon--later we got to turn the other way so the people on the other side could look--never did get to where we were going, had to land short

[RedBarchetta]

Originally Posted by Jerry Clayton

If you don't have an impact wrench you can disconnect the coil, put a socket on the bolt head, brace the breaker bar against the lower frame rail and bump the starter---it will screw the bolt loose-----

Worked like a charm! In 4.5 years of ownership, it was also the first time my wife ever touched the ignition keys.

Thanks!

-Dean

[Jerry Clayton]

Told you so !!!!!!