I am wanting to crank over the 401 in this '65 Rivie I just got that hasn't been started in 20 years, but I have gone thru all my sockets up to 1-1/16" and nothing fits the nut on the harmonic balancer. What dang size is it? Thanks, John
1 1/8 , I think. Heavy on the think. If the car is out of the car , I use the starter ring gear. You have a lot more leverage that way. The other day I saw a intresting idea where a spark plug was modified and then hooked to a pump grease gun to use hydrolic pressure to loosen an engine. However, any engine that was frozen up will have rust /corrosion issues that need to be closely examined. I have seen wrist pins frozen up, rust pits in cyl walls, rings corroded to the pistons, ect. Such an engine needs to come all the way down and be refreshed.
Yes-Dynaflow before '64 is 1" with the later turbo400 cars at 1 1/8". Often lots of 'gook' around the bolt head that needs to be scrapped away to get a good bite with the socket. With one sitting for years, make sure the cylinders are well hosed with light penetrants. Also, not uncommon to have valves stuck-get the covers loose and hose everything down- tapping will id those stuck-good luck