help removing harmonic balancer

[chromag]

I've got a 69 GS with a leaky 350 SBC in it. It appears i am dripping from the timing chain cover area since i already replaced the gaskets on the oil pan. I've taken off most everything in the front but am stuck on that nasty bolt holding the pulley on to the harmonic balancer. Everytime i try to turn it, the balancer turns with it. Anybody have any good secret on how to keep it from moving? i tried to quickly jerk a breaker bar on it with no luck. thought i might try an impact wrench. But if there is an easier way i'd love to know... :confused:

[Harry]

I'd try putting the belt on around the pulley and use something to twist it tight around the pulley,this might give enough leverage to break it loose :Do No:

[Smartin]

I've heard that pulling a spark plug and stuffing aa nylon rope into the cylinder will keep the piston from moving, therefore stopping the crank from turning.

Do you have an impact wrench?

[LARRY70GS]

Well, the trick we use with our Buicks, is to put a braker bar and socket on the bolt. Then lay the end of the breaker bar on the floor. Then crank the motor. The starter motor will easily break the bolt loose. Should work equally well on the Chebbies. The motor turn clockwise, so lay the breaker bar end on the drivers side. Make sure it is on the bolt securely, and use a short tap of the starter. You can also stick a screwdriver through the flywheel to stop it from turning, but the starter method works really well.

[GoldBoattail455]

The starter motor method does work! You only need one person too. Like Larry said, be careful and make sure its on securely. If it isnt it could break your harmonic balancer. :Dou: :error: :o

[ibmoses]

Well, the trick we use with our Buicks, is to put a braker bar and socket on the bolt. Then lay the end of the breaker bar on the floor. Then crank the motor. The starter motor will easily break the bolt loose. Should work equally well on the Chebbies. The motor turn clockwise, so lay the breaker bar end on the drivers side. Make sure it is on the bolt securely, and use a short tap of the starter. You can also stick a screwdriver through the flywheel to stop it from turning, but the starter method works really well.



When you reinstall the balancer try not to spin the motor backwards. I used a piece of rebar with one end wedged between the pass.side frame rail and
the other end wedged in the teeth of the flywheel to keep the motor from spinning while tightening the bolt.
Bert

[tlivingd]

i've heard to do the starter trick on removing the bolt and the nylon rope in the spark plug hole for the tightening.

just make sure to only do the rope trick durring the compression stroke.
-nate

[chromag]

OK, thanks for all the great advice. I did the breaker bar and started it and it did the job! Thanks again guys!

[GStage1]

If you or a friend encounter this problem, do it the right way. Buy a flexplate/flywheel wrench. This is a great tool and only cost about $20.
It is made by Lisle and several other tool manufacturers.
I take mine to the salvage yards all the time for such a task as well as rotating the engine crank to remove the torque converter screws.

[doc]

There is a sholder on the back side of the harmonic balancer. Just slip a wood hammer handel between the sholder and the timing tab on the front cover. the harmonic balancer will catch on the hammer handel and hold still while you back the bolt out. simple and cheap.

[flynbuick]

Impat tool takes the work out of it. You can get an electric powered tool from Harbour Freight that you will use over and over.