anyone know of a good method to loosen the crankshaft pulley bolt while the engine is still in the car?~Jerrod

Impact wrench! This is the only way I have had any luck. However with the engine still in the car I had to pull the radiator to get my impact wrench in there.

I've had success with putting the transmission in 4th gear, setting the E-brake HARD, and then using a socket and long breaker bar. It doesn't always work, but almost every time I've done it worked. If it doesn't work .....then find an Impact gun.

i have the radiator apart the only part still on the engine is the head and the timinplate and that pulley. i tried putting the car in fifth gear (i have a zx tranny) and putting the brakes on i had my friend hold down the brake and when i turned the bolt with this huge socket thing i have it seemed to turn the whole engine and throw the car forward. my uncle said something about taking off the bell housing lower plate and jamming a pry bar into the flywheel to do this anyone know how that works on a z ill try the brakes again but any comment?

what i did at a pick n pull was just take off the starter, and jam a pry bar in the flywheel teeth. It worked great. The only bad thing is that i only had a open end wrench :dead: . It took me and my buddy brian (big guy) half an hour to get that fookin thing off. Took allllllllllllot of kicking, and hitting with a hammer. Luckly it finally came loose. I still have a fat scab on my arm from when the wrench slipped, and the fan pulley studs met my skin. This was almost a month ago...

Is the cam shaft/timing chain still in position?

If so then you can [2 person job], locate the 2 "fins" on the cam and secure with a adjustable wrench. Then using a long bar undo the crank bolt...

no the cam isnt connected that is why i have to take the engine apart i need to remove the chain tensioner so that i can get the cam attached to the crank again... i dropped the cam chain trying to install my new cam and now the chain wont reach

Ok I don't understand why your jumping on the brakes the car in gear should be enough handbrake on if you like.

Get a socket I think size 22 mm from memory a rachet and as Carl said a breaker bar or cheater bar I like to call it. Slip it over the rachet and turn in a I believe anti clockwise direction(looking at the car from the front) to undo it.

You shouldn't have to remove the radiator definately the fan can come off. However if your going to play under the timing cover then take the radiator out anyway.

After the bolt is loose get a rubber mallet and tap each side of the pulley towards the front of the car it should wriggle off.

Any more problems and I'll see what I can do to explain it more clearly.

Gav

Where are you located?

yeah i have the car apart the radiator is out... it was broken anyway... im down to that pulley so that i can take the timing cover off. yeah ive tried both ways. the ebrake and in gear; and the brakes and in gear. both times when i turned the bolt the crank seemed to rotate with it and the car went forward. i'm using about a 2 ft long ratchet and its a 27 mm socket on my car. the bolt is extrmely easy to turn with that but it turns the whole engine. i guess ill just remove the starter and jam my crowbar into the flywheel since that seems to be the only option left to me. not that it really matters cuz nissan out here in california cant even get me the gaskets i need to put it back together so i dont know why im bothering. anyone know a good place to order the inspection lid gasket, water pump gasket, distributor gasket, and timing plate gaskets? ill be calling around town today for the cheapy gaskets from autozone and stuff but i prefer nissan ones they are better IMO. thanks for the help guys. ~Jerrod

Try using a 2lb hammer. Set your 1/2" ratchet up so that it's in the 10-11 o'clock position. Get a good swing and hit the ratchet at the end. Be careful. Don't miss. If you have a Craftsman 1/2" drive ratchet even better. If it breaks you can replace it for free. This worked for me. I couldn't get an impact in there either because of the radiator support.

I can really feel the agony your going through here...

Unfortunately, it's down to brute strength now. Sledge hammer or similar, long bar and some sweat.

Good luck...

MOM