Safe way to remove harmonic balancer - '67 6 cyl.

[6769redcar]

Does anyone know if the bolt attaching the harmonic balancer to the camshaft loosens left or right on 67 six cylinder, the pulley separated from the balancer and needs to be replaced. Have the new part and a puller, just need to get that nut loose...

 

[zookeeper]

As far as I know, all balancers are standard, right-hand thread. You need to either put the motor in park (auto trans) or put in a low gear (1st or reverse, manual trans) to keep the motor from turning over while you loosen the crank bolt. Then you need a puller that bolts to the balancer. If you use a puller that has fingers that pull on the outside, you WILL yank the outer ring off the balancer which ruins it.

 

[Rusty67]

As far as I know, all balancers are standard, right-hand thread. You need to either put the motor in park (auto trans) or put in a low gear (1st or reverse, manual trans) to keep the motor from turning over while you loosen the crank bolt. Then you need a puller that bolts to the balancer. If you use a puller that has fingers that pull on the outside, you WILL yank the outer ring off the balancer which ruins it.

Just use an impact wrench to take the bolt out, it will come right off an not load the drive line at all.

 

[6769redcar]

Thanks for the tips, I don't have to worry about the pulley separating from the balancer, it did that while it was being driven. Anyway, I have the right puller, just need to get the bolt loose. I was afraid to use an impact driver on the balancer to crank bolt to break it loose but that should do it.

 

[Big_B]

Here's my trick:

Remove the pulley, then reinstall one of the bolts in the balancer. Turn over the engine using a big socket until that bolt is on its "downward" turn, then put a piece of 2x4 between the bolt head and the floor. Now the engine won't turn and the crankshaft bolt will come free, with the help of a 1/2" drive and a four foot piece of pipe in my case.

 

[6T6coupe]

Sometimes on the stubborn ones, I use a breaker bar, a socket, and the starter.

Place the socket over the bolt, rest the breaker bar on the driver side frame rail, then bump the starter. Bolt loosens instantly.

 

[Max Power]

Not a fan of using the starter. Stuff can fly apart.

I pull a spark plug and stuff a section of old fan belt or rope into the cylinder. Rotate the engine by hand using he socket of the crank bolt, and the engine will lock up for you. The bolt should crack loose with the engine locked up.

 

[Pakrat]

I learnt a great and easy trick for this last fall. There are a bunch of holes that go through the balancer, stick a screw driver through one and it will wedge against the side of the timing cover and provide a stop to unbolt it.

 

[Big_B]

You need to either put the motor in park (auto trans) .... to keep the motor from turning over while you loosen the crank bolt. .

Is this true? Why would having it in park not allow it to turn over? Mine was turning over moderately easy with it in park.

 

[Max Power]

Is this true? Why would having it in park not allow it to turn over? Mine was turning over moderately easy with it in park.

No, it is not true unless your torque converter has locked up. Park locks the drivetrain, not the engine.