Getting the crank bolt out

[hakstooy]

When putting in my cam I put the crank bolt back in to move #1 to top dead center, but now I can't get the bolt out to put on the timing gear (washer's in the way). (Learned a lesson for next time huh?) Anyway, anyone know a trick for getting it off without having to buy a piston stop?

The only thing on the crank is the bolt and the key.

 

[Madgyver]

Impact wrench

 

[Jeepster]

Impact wrench

yep, what Mad said.

 

[wildbill]

%) %) %) Air motor is the only way to go good luck. Bill %)

 

[craigs67]

crank bolt

put your fly wheel bolts in and a flatbar through them, with someone helping to hold crank you should be able to remove it.Sometimes a punch through a bell housing bolt hole will stop the bar from turning you probably don't have it in to tight anyway.All else afails buy a comp and hammer if you don't have one like suggested before. good luck

 

[77sport]

do you have a stick trans, just put it in gear and set the parking brake, if you have a auto trans have someone hold a screwdriver against one of the flywheel teeth, sounds hokey but it works.

 

[nickmyron]

I had this problem when i was trying to take out the Damper bolt......what i ended up doing was using a metel punch as a stop for the Damper, i put one end of the punch againt the damper and the other against the front cover, its kinda hard to line up to work but it worked like a charm for me.....

Nick~

 

[hakstooy]

Well, my prob is that I don't have anything on the shaft, no gears or anything. So the only thing to brace against is the key (all 1/16" sticking out).

I don't have an impact wrench, and the Bronc sure isn't going anywhere.

I guess I might have to buckle down and get the piston stop.

 

[77sport]

you should be holding it from the other end, the flywheel side, if you dont have a std trans take the inspection cover off , between the oil pan and the front of the trans, and use a screwdriver or punch to hold the ringgear while someone removes the bolt from the front. the other thing you can do if you dont have an impact wrench is put a socket and ratchet or handle on the bolt and hit it with a brass mallet or dead blow hammer or just a plain old hammer that should loosen it enough for you to get it the rest of the way out. just hit it the right direction or you will tighten it more.good luck.

 

[craigs67]

crank bolt

77 is right you are trying to hold the crank from the wrong end,you just have to get some leverage on the rear of the crank I'm sure when you do it will not take much. good luck cs

 

[hakstooy]

Sweet, thanks for the tips 77, I'll give those a shot.

The only thing I'd come up with was to cut a half circle in a 2x4 with a notch to fit snug over the key and then have someone hold that firm over the crank while I loosened the bolt. Though, I wasn't sure if it'd work or if I should have a piece of wood in there (thought about wrapping it in saranwrap).

I'l give your idea a shot first though, sounds easier (I don't have to make anything) and more likely to work.

 

[cjjhalfcab]

Don't know if it would work in this case (or if you'd want to), but I've heard of guys putting a breaker bar/socket on it, positioning the breaker bar under some type of crossmember/frame rail or something, and then just bumping the starter till it breaks loose.

 

[Rustytruck]

Breaker bar on the bolt and slip a piece of pipe on the breaker bar and hook it under the frame on the driver side and bump the starter it works well watch out for the fan and everything falling on your head. Use a remote starter switch hooked up to the start solonoid make sure the truck is in neutral tires blocked parking brake set. For sure it sucks to be run over by your own truck.

 

[BwoncoHowie]

did you try a box end wrench holding it on the bolt while hittng the wernch handle with a hammer in the loosen direction? This has worked for me when my engine was on an engine stand.
~BH

 

[edjolly]

When I was a kid, I ran into a similar problem on a dodge dart--a buddy convinced me to run #1 up on the compression stroke and fill the cylinder with heavy oil and replace the plug. It worked, but made a hell of a mess when we cranked the engine to get the oil out after pulling the plug.
I've since used 5/16" or so nylon cord fed into the cylinder on the compression stroke and it has worked very well. Just leave enough cord hanging out to pull it when you're done.

Ed

 

[RogerCB]

pirce of cake

Here's an old trick I used to use during my Ford dearlership thrashing days. Using a shallow15/16" socket on a long breaker bar, socket on the damper bolt, rest the breaker bar handle on the drivers left side frame rail, ......bump the starter....

 

[hakstooy]

Got it. Went out and decided to try one last time with just the bar.

It wouldn't budge and I managed to slam ny knuckles into a variety of hard things, then as I started to get really pissed at myself and the Bronco, it popped loose.

Heh, just need a little anger I guess. Thanks for all the ideas.