New here and not really mechanically inclined but I had a question so any help is greatly appreciated.
Problem: when starting my 1999 corvette I hear a loud medal tapping from the front of the engine, when I popped the hood and started it again I immediately checked the belt, my crank pulley seems to have stripped and the rubber that joins the grooves of the pulley to the actual pulley itself is torn and the groove part of the pulley is making contact with the engine block, I knew this couldn't be good and haven't driven or started the car since. Do I need any special tools to replace the crank pulley or can I just take off a nut and install a new crank pulley?
Again, any help on this is greatly appreciated.
P.S. My auto tensioner pulley has little to no room to ease the belt off, might this have caused the problem?

 

Yes you do. First of all, you need the expertise to change the balancer, correct tools i.e. balancer puller, balancer installer, and everything required to remove the steering rack, and torque to the proper value. This is not a task for someone who describes themselves as "not mechanically inclined".

 

Wow, I knew that noise sounded expensive when I heard it, thanks for the help. I'm gonna call a shop than

 

Steve outlines what needs to be done per the service manual in the link below. A lot of people and some shops take short cuts that can result in problems down the road. Sounds like more than you may be able to take on, and there are special tools required, however the link will provide you with enough background to ask questions and ensure that whoever you are having do the job knows what they are doing and has the proper tools.

Also, while the pulley if off, you may want to get the front seal replaced.

Here is the link: Link

 

If you do it or have a shop do it, be very sure of one thing. Before removing the steering rack and taking off the steering wheel coupler, center the steering wheel and tie the wheel so it will not be rotated. After the rack is bolted back in, put on the wheels and center them. Then reattach the coupler. Then and only then, untie the steering wheel. Will save you much grief.

 

Ask the shop if they are aware of the steering wheel position sensor and the fact that it is no longer available if they fubar it.

Where are you located?

 

I'm in Hawaii, stationed in pearl harbor. I talked to a shop that regularly works on corvettes and says they would know how to do it but the mechanic is currently in the mainland for a soccer tournament, I only spoke to the owner who only does bodywork. But ya ive already accepted the fact that this is out of my league as far as doing it myself.