So I’m working on a B20 to replace my B18 in my car. I have everything off the B20, it’s just the long block at this point. Stuck at the crank pulley bolt which we all know is a PITA.
The damn thing will not budge and it being out of the car makes it pretty difficult to get the proper leverage on it without the engine moving.
I was thinking and please correct me if I’m wrong or miss anything along the way.
Setting the motor to TDC
Cutting the timing belt since I’m using a new one.
Removing the cam caps and head bolts. Removing the head.
Taking the short block to a shop to remove the crank pulley bolt.
And reassemble.
I know this isn’t the ideal way, but it should work?
Impact is going to be your best bet with the engine out of the car. Typically the problem is the engine spinning but with the engine out the problem is usually just holding it in place so it doesn’t rock around or tip over. If you don’t have an impact but have a compressor you should consider the 1/2" “Earthquake” Impact Wrench from Harbor Freight, it has great reviews and for a non-professional should be sufficient for most things and a lot cheaper than anything else that will be as powerful. There are also electric impact wrenches that you could look into if you don’t have a compressor. When I was young and poor I actually bought an electric one for this same purpose and then returned it the next day to Sears (kinda shady I know).
Don’t cut the belt or try to half ass this, you’ll just give yourself headaches later on. Get the pulley off, spend time doing that and save time down the road. Installing the new belt and reassembling everything later with the pulley still on will be a pain. Plus you won’t be able to install your timing belt covers, which are important and should be installed unless you have a good reason to.
If you can’t get an impact then I’d try to brace the engine against a wall, post or have a few friends hold it in place. If you don’t have a crank pulley holder tool you can use a wrench to hold the crank in place like the photos below. But a crank pulley tool is pretty cheap and IMO worth having around.
Oh, and skip the removing the head idea and having a shop do it. The cost of a new headgasket + labor will be as much or more than just buying the tools you need to do the job. And when you’re done you’ll have tools!
I have the crank pulley tool. It goes in fine but seems to go in deeper on the B18 crank pulley than the B20. Also it has a flex plate on it, not sure how strong that is or if there’s a place to hold it to lock it in place. I’ll keep going at it this weekend.
Unfortunately I don’t have access to an air compressor, my cordless one was useless pretty sure it’s not putting out the 300 lb ft it claims. Working on it in a storage unit, FUN apartment living.
I’ll have to give the electric impact wrenches a shot, no shame in returning them Colin. I was thinking of doing them same thing lol
Hoping this can break it loose, I’ll keep you guys posted.[/QUOTE]
Make sure you have an extension cord that can keep up with whatever power that thing needs, or maybe you’re close enough to plug it straight into the wall. Good luck!
Got it! Thanks for the idea Colin, that one from Sears worked out great. Held it on there for about 5 seconds the first time and it didn’t budge. Second time around I held on there for about 20 seconds and it broke it loose.
