Remove Clutch & Flywheel Bolts ???
 

This is a dumb question, but I am trying to remove the clutch and flywheel from my 1986 coupe so that I can install a ZF-6 and I can't get a bolt loose without having the engine turn. How do you keep the flywheel from turning while you are applying pressure on the wrench? I know from VW days that there were flywheel locks available, but can't seem to locate a similiar tool for chevy engines. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Re: Remove Clutch & Flywheel Bolts ??? (wkitman)
 

An impact wrench is the way to go, but if you don't have that I used to wedge a screwdriver between something stationary and a tooth on the flywheel. But I would caution against that because you COULD break something that way.

Re: Remove Clutch & Flywheel Bolts ??? (wkitman)
 

They make a tool that hold onto the teeth of the flywheel so you can do what you are wanting to do. Check a tool rental shop or use a screwdriver betwen the flywheel teeth and the block while someone else loosens the bolts.

Re: Remove Clutch & Flywheel Bolts ??? (wkitman)
 

You can buy simple non-pneumatic impact wrenches from Sears. They are $20. They're very handy if you don't have an air compressor to drive a pneumatic impact wrench. These things are spring driven, more or less. It's a little tool about the size of a flashlight. You can use these things on screws or bolts--mine came with a number of adapters. You whack this thing with a hammer :smash: and it will twist about 1/4 turn and loosen your fastener. They're capable of 200 ft lbs of torque. Mine works great.

Along the same lines you might try hammering on the handle of a small breaker bar. That's the basic principle behind "impact". The clutch cover bolts should not be very tight.

Once you get the clutch cover off you can use a small length of chain to keep the flywheel from rotating. Bolt one end of the chain to the flywheel in one of the clutch cover bolt holes. Bolt the other end of the chain to the block in one of the bellhousing holes. I use old header bolts for this so I'm not chewing up good bolts.

Re: Remove Clutch & Flywheel Bolts ??? (wkitman)
 

Put wrench on the crank bolt on the front of the engine to hold it from moving.

Re: Remove Clutch & Flywheel Bolts ??? (Vette92)
 

Works like a charm every time :D


[Modified by ASRoff, 4:29 PM 10/29/2001]

Re: Remove Clutch & Flywheel Bolts ??? (wkitman)
 

I just put a screwdriver in the flywheel teeth braced against the bellhousing alignment pins in the block.