Harmonic Balancer Removal and Installation help

[pcmpete]

I am planning on removing my harmonic balancer to change the timing cover gasket, I have the correct removal and installation tools, but my question is how do you stop the crankshaft from turning while you remove the crankshaft bolt and again when installing the the balancer again.

The motor is complete but not installed in the boat.

I know there is a 'piston stop' tool for finding TDC, but could this tool damage the top of the piston?

Thanks for any help in this matter.

 

[insanity]

Re: Harmonic Balancer Removal and Installation help

I had to remove my harmonic balancer on an old 350 once. I didn't use anything to keep the crank from turning and it came right off.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Harmonic Balancer Removal and Installation help

but my question is how do you stop the crankshaft from turning while you remove the crankshaft bolt and again when installing the the balancer again.

Ayuh,... Stuff a piece of Rope into a sparkplug hole....

 

[Don S]

Re: Harmonic Balancer Removal and Installation help

I know there is a 'piston stop' tool for finding TDC, but could this tool damage the top of the piston?

DO NOT even try that. That is not what that tool was designed for. It was not intended to hold the engine from turning while working on it, only as a tool to touch the top of the piston while locating exact TDC.

Since the engine is out and IF you have a problem with the engine turning, just tke the flywheel cover off, put a bolt back in the block and use a screwdrive to hold the teeth of the flywheel.
I actually made a tool for holding the flywheel out of an old valve. Just bent the shaft 90? , stick the shaft into the bolt hole and the valve in the flywheel teeth.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Harmonic Balancer Removal and Installation help

I actually like to screw the bolt back in the crank minus the washer before the balancer is removed.

(So long as there is clearance for the balancer to pass thru the head of the bolt). So the tool is pressing against the head of the bolt instead of the threads on the crank.

I always worry about the first couple of threads on the crank getting damaged by the puller.

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Harmonic Balancer Removal and Installation help

Thats why man invented air tools. Put an impact gun on there and it will be off faster than you can type a response to this post...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Harmonic Balancer Removal and Installation help

Thats why man invented air tools. Put an impact gun on there and it will be off faster than you can type a response to this post...

Ayuh,... I Agree,.... But All of Us don't have Air tools at our access.....

I vaguely remember the days I didn't....

The brutality of it is hard to forget...

 

[pcmpete]

Re: Harmonic Balancer Removal and Installation help

Yeah the thought of putting something the plug hole to hold the crank from moving doesn't sit well with me (on my R/C helicopter motors I can take the backplate off and hold the connecting rod, but they sell piston stops for those engines and I couldn't tell you how people I know wreak their pistons using them)
I like the idea of locking the flywheel.

Thanks again