corvette-1969

I have just changed the original 'yellow springs' in my 2002 Z06 to PAC 1218 Springs. Used the Trick Flow Valve Spring Compressor with air pressure to hold the valves up and everything went great. Although I was a little concerned the entire time about dropping a valve but no problems. Need help with turning main pulley to rotate the engine to TDC as called out in the Service Manual. There does not seem to be enough space between the pulley and the Rack and Pinion Gear Asembly that is in front of the pulley to use a socket and breaker bar to rotate the engine. Am I missing something? The Service Manual did not mention any 'special tool'. When facing the engine I should turn the pulley Clockwise? Does anyone know the reason for the rotation of crank to TDC and tightening certain valves and then 360 degree rotation and then tightening the other valves? Any helpful hints or special tool required would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Steve

Trash

That is correct, there is not enough space. Two solutions. Jack the back wheels off the ground and put the transmission in 5th or 6th. Have some one rotate the back tires to thus rotate the engine. Look for the timing mark on the flywheel, #1 rockers etc. for TDC.

Option two, find a 22 or 23 mm (can't remember the flywheel bolt size) offset box end wrench. I looked high and low but couldn't find one. Instead I used a 15/16" offset box end wrench which is nearly the correct size. Since the plugs are out it's easy to turn the motor over. You can only get about 1/8 of a turn but that works out well anyways for what you're doing.

For the life of me I can't remember.....sorry.


By following the service manual and tightening the appropriate rockers when #1 is at TDC ensures the lifter is on the cam base circle (all the way down). All the rockers you are to tighten on the first round are on the cams base circle which allows you to get the accurate torque spec for each rocker. The valve spring will be at it's maximum extended position in this case. Rotating the engine another 360 degrees gets the other half of the rockers on the cam base circle.

This may not be the most clear explanation but I think it will get you on the right track.

Dual valve spring compressor tool and a magnet for pulling out the keepers were two indispensable tools.

ACR Z06

I just finished my valve spring swap last month.

I had the same problem you are having. I went to AutoZone and picked up a 5 piece set of offset box wrenches which has the 15/16 that you need to turn the crank over. The whole set of wrenches cost me less than $20.00.

Patrick

ACR Z06

corvette-1969

Thanks for the information. I'll try the 15/16" off set and see what happens.
Steve

XFordGuy

When I did my springs, I decided to change the accessory drive belt while I was there. I took an old strap wrench and replaced its rubber strap with a big piece of the drive belt. It made turning the crank by the pulley very easy.

ZeeOSix

Yes, that is correct.

That procedure is in the Service Manual to ensure that the rocker arms that are being tightened don't have any pressure on them (ie, the valve is not opened at all when the rocker arm is tightened down to 22 ft-lbs).

JLayer

Pull all the plugs and then just grab the belt up by the altenator to turn the motor. You'd be surprised on how easy it is. I tried turning the crank bolt with numerous wrenches and it just wasn't working. I also have a different pulley though. But just take the plugs out so there's no compression when turning. Easiest way IMO.