crank pulley removal
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Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: sw Ohio
crank pulley removal
I've never had a problem with this before but I cant figure out a good way to remove the pulley. The 2 methods I normally use dont work: putting my foot on it or sticking a screwdriver into the flywheel. Any tips?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: The Top of Utah
The flywheel is at the wrong end. Remove the three bolts holding it to the damper and the single bolt from the damper to the center of the crank shaft. If the pulley doesn't fall off, a light rap with a hammer or prying with a screw driver will remove it.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: sw Ohio
Got another problem, the water pump has an extension pipe coming out of the side and I guess you're supposed to remove it and install it on the new pump. I need a new one since I rounded it off and its still stuck on there. I dont understand why GM designed it this way, makes no sense.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,714
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From: Ontario
when I did it the other day I put a wrench on one of the outer three and held the wrench with clockwise force while I took the middle one out. Then the outer one was easy to come out, didn't need the force but if you need force you can use this technique on all the bolts till the last one of course, then if it's still stuck, good luck 
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
I insert the three long bolts from a puller and use a lever to hold the crank shaft so I can loosen the center bolt.
Maybe you can get the WP extension piece from a bone yard.
Maybe you can get the WP extension piece from a bone yard.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 658
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From: Centerville OH
If the car has a manual trans, put the trans in gear and set the emergency brake. That keeps the crank from turning so you can get the bolt loose.
Another trick I've used in the past (not on the Corvette, though) sounds REALLY strange, but it actually worked. Take the serpentine belt and wrap it around the crank pulley pointing down so it is laying on the ground. Pull the belt to the side of the car until it's tight then stand on it while you try to break the bolt loose.
Another trick I've used in the past (not on the Corvette, though) sounds REALLY strange, but it actually worked. Take the serpentine belt and wrap it around the crank pulley pointing down so it is laying on the ground. Pull the belt to the side of the car until it's tight then stand on it while you try to break the bolt loose.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Santa Maria CA
What trans?
Mine's an automatic and I did mine like this. I used a wrench on one of the flywheel bolts by letting it wedge itselft agains the exhaust in order to hold engine stationary. Then I loosened crank bolt with breaker bar. When reinstalling, I put the wrench under the exhaust pipe to hold engine the other way. Worked good. Held it hard as a rock. Flywheel bolt never even budged.
If that don't work you can use a chain wrench if it's got enough chain to wrap around the pulley. Cushion the teeth with a piece of old belt.
With one of these babies, if you can get it around something, it will hold it. Most only come with enough chain for a 5 inch pulley. I need to buy a chain extension on mine. The handle is plenty long though.
Mine's an automatic and I did mine like this. I used a wrench on one of the flywheel bolts by letting it wedge itselft agains the exhaust in order to hold engine stationary. Then I loosened crank bolt with breaker bar. When reinstalling, I put the wrench under the exhaust pipe to hold engine the other way. Worked good. Held it hard as a rock. Flywheel bolt never even budged.
If that don't work you can use a chain wrench if it's got enough chain to wrap around the pulley. Cushion the teeth with a piece of old belt.
With one of these babies, if you can get it around something, it will hold it. Most only come with enough chain for a 5 inch pulley. I need to buy a chain extension on mine. The handle is plenty long though.
Last edited by 86PACER; Apr 16, 2008 at 01:46 AM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: sw Ohio
Yep had no problem removing the harmonic balancer after that, had some oil come out of the hole though 
Can I use a 1" threaded nipple (yes plumbing) for the water pump? I cant find anyone that sells replacements.
Can I use a 1" threaded nipple (yes plumbing) for the water pump? I cant find anyone that sells replacements.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Summerland B.C. Canada
dont know about chrome but thats good to know.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Raleigh North Carolina
when I did it the other day I put a wrench on one of the outer three and held the wrench with clockwise force while I took the middle one out. Then the outer one was easy to come out, didn't need the force but if you need force you can use this technique on all the bolts till the last one of course, then if it's still stuck, good luck
Not as safe for removing the inner bolt as it has a higher torque spec. than the outer ones, so holding an outer one while removing the inner one will over-torque the outer one.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,290
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From: Salem NH
On the stand. You won't fit a gun in there. Crank is like 2" from the front cross beam.
First engine swap in a C4 I put the crank pulley on after engine was in. Never make that mistake again. Second engine pulley went on while on the stand, then the motor in the car. what a pita.
-- Joe
First engine swap in a C4 I put the crank pulley on after engine was in. Never make that mistake again. Second engine pulley went on while on the stand, then the motor in the car. what a pita.
-- Joe
