Anybody got any advice for me for removing the crank pulley to install a balancer cover? I can't get the bolts loose because the crank turns.
Thanks

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Trever Maas
1972 Chevelle Malibu
Mohave Gold
L65 350/M38 TH350
2.73 AXL RATIO
Undergoing Resotoration

Try pointing your ratchet handle directly across the center of the crank snout, then tap it with a hammer. Notice I said "tap on it", not "beat on it".

Positioning the handle this direction will reduce the leverage you're putting on the rotating assembly while keeping the same amount of force on the bolt.

I like my damper cover. It makes ignition timing much easier to check. Wish I wouldn't have gotten the chrome one though. A black one with white markings would have been much easier to read.

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My Web Page (http://www.landry-family.com) (updated 06-21-02)

"Long Live Freedom!"

Chad Landry
TC Member #643
ACES Member #4556
'68 El Camino, 357, L31 Vortec heads, 700R4,
8.2 10-bolt, 3.55 gears, Auburn Pro Posi.

Wow, I never thought of that. Yeah, then the crank shouldn't be able to move. I got one of the proform covers I think. It's black and has a white bowtie on it. It starts at TDC and then goes up to 50, then theres a mark for 90. How come they don't have the numbers going the opposite way also, you know like the timing pointer/marker?

Thanks

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Trever Maas
1972 Chevelle Malibu
Mohave Gold
L65 350/M38 TH350
2.73 AXL RATIO
Undergoing Resotoration

Mine's a Proform too, Chrome with black marks and numbers. Wanna trade? http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif

I've never understood why they put retard marks on anything. Anytime I've ever gotten an engine to run with retarded timing (double entendre intended), I've also gotten red hot headers.

Good luck with the cover.

CJ, shouldn't you put the wrench handle tangential to the crank instead? This is what minimizes torque.

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70 Impala Sport Coupe (350)
67 Chevelle (I wish, still looking and saving)
http://www.geocities.com/ledsled_26m

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ledsled:
CJ, shouldn't you put the wrench handle tangential to the crank instead? This is what minimizes torque.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yeah, it's better to start at an angle that will sweep across the crank snout instead of outside the pulley. That's what I was talking about. I just didn't put it quite so eloquently. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif


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My Web Page (http://www.landry-family.com) (updated 06-21-02)

"Long Live Freedom!"

Chad Landry
TC Member #643
ACES Member #4556
'68 El Camino, 357, L31 Vortec heads, 700R4,
8.2 10-bolt, 3.55 gears, Auburn Pro Posi.

[This message has been edited by cjlandry (edited 07-07-2002).]

Question. What is tangential? And CJ, no I don't want to trade! Hahaha!
Thanks

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Trever Maas
1972 Chevelle Malibu
Mohave Gold
L65 350/M38 TH350
2.73 AXL RATIO
Undergoing Resotoration

CJ put it pretty well. I can't explain it in words, and my freehand drawing skills on PaintShop really stink!

Basically, you want your wrench handle to be at a right angle (90 degrees) to a line drawn from the center of the circle (The crank snout) to the center of the bolt that you're trying to loosen. That way, any force that you apply is not being transferred to the crank in the form of torque.

Hope I'm not confusing more than helping!

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70 Impala Sport Coupe (350)
67 Chevelle (I wish, still looking and saving)
http://www.geocities.com/ledsled_26m

I get what you are saying. Would an impact/air gun help any?

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Trever Maas
1972 Chevelle Malibu
Mohave Gold
L65 350/M38 TH350
2.73 AXL RATIO
Undergoing Resotoration

http://www.chevelles.com/forum/Forum9/HTML/009692.html

Thanks for finding that Charbilly.

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Trever Maas
1972 Chevelle Malibu
Mohave Gold
L65 350/M38 TH350
2.73 AXL RATIO
Undergoing Resotoration

Well, I took an air impact to the 4 bolts and the pulley fell off by itself. Now what's the trick to getting this cover on all of the way?

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Trever Maas
1972 Chevelle Malibu
Mohave Gold
L65 350/M38 TH350
2.73 AXL RATIO
Undergoing Resotoration

No trick to mine. It just slips right over the balancer beneath the crank pulley. Nothing to it.

I wish I could help more, but I have to go offshore for a week.

Good luck.

------------------
My Web Page (http://www.landry-family.com) (updated 06-21-02)

"Long Live Freedom!"

Chad Landry
TC Member #643
ACES Member #4556
'68 El Camino, 357, L31 Vortec heads, 700R4,
8.2 10-bolt, 3.55 gears, Auburn Pro Posi.

Is their any lining up to it besides the bolt holes? Does it go over or under the pointer?

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Trever Maas
TC Member #: 1432
1972 Chevelle Malibu
Mohave Gold
L65 350/M38 TH350
2.73 AXL RATIO
Undergoing Resotoration

Well, I just got finished putting the cover on and the car back together. Started it up and it wouldn't want to stay running. Started it up and gave it some gas. Heard a scratching/rubbing noise. I went and looked at the balancer cover. The timing pointer was scratching the hell out of my new cover. Five more seconds and I probably wouldn't be able to read the numbers on the cover anymore. And to top that off, I forgot to put the oil gauge line back on the guage. I had the line off because it was leaking. I shot oil all over the new garage floor. Hope I didn't get any on the Impala. Anyways, what did I do wrong installing the cover?

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Trever Maas
TC Member #: 1432
1972 Chevelle Malibu
Mohave Gold
L65 350/M38 TH350
2.73 AXL RATIO
Undergoing Resotoration

I have never seen a balancer cover so I am no expert but there is never much clearance between the balancer and the timing tab. That said a bit of judicious bending of the tab seems in order. Why does one use a balancer cover anyway? Guess I am gonna have to go to the local speed shops and get a "catch up" quicky education soon so I can keep up with you guys.

Well it's supposed to show the correct timing degree and it's supposed to be easier to read.

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Trever Maas
TC Member #: 1432
1972 Chevelle Malibu
Mohave Gold
L65 350/M38 TH350
2.73 AXL RATIO
Undergoing Resotoration

OK, I'm back from offshore.

I have a timing cover because it looks better than timing tape. I have never owned a dial-back timing light, so this allows me to use the good old reliable Sun timing light that I've had for nearly 20 years.

For lining it up, mine matches the keyslot of the damper.

Mine fit under the pointer without any trouble, but bending the pointer a tad wouldn't hurt anything.

------------------
My Web Page (http://www.landry-family.com) (updated 06-21-02)

"Long Live Freedom!"

Chad Landry
TC Member #643
ACES Member #4556
'68 El Camino, 357, L31 Vortec heads, 700R4,
8.2 10-bolt, 3.55 gears, Auburn Pro Posi.

Yeah, I had to bend the pointer a bit. Haven't timed the car since I stuck it on, due to my new project and the carb problems on the malibu.

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Trever Maas
TC Member #: 1432
1972 Chevelle Malibu
Mohave Gold
L65 350/M38 TH350
2.73 AXL RATIO

1948 Chrysler Windsor Cpe
Flathead 6
Standard Column Shift
Fluid Drive Transmission
"Both Undergoing Slow Resotorations"

I go with "CharBilly". Whazzup with the cover. I just stuck a degree wheel and a dummy bolt/sparkplug in/on the engine, and filed my "real" TDC on the balancer after turning the crank about 355 deg. each way.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by John D:
I go with "CharBilly". Whazzup with the cover. I just stuck a degree wheel and a dummy bolt/sparkplug in/on the engine, and filed my "real" TDC on the balancer after turning the crank about 355 deg. each way.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yeah, I found true TDC the same way, but I moved the pointer a little instead of filing the balancer.

It's not about only knowing where TDC is, it's about tuning the mechanical advance for me. I like it better than the timing tape (which I've flung off twice).


------------------
My Web Page (http://www.landry-family.com) (updated 06-21-02)

"Long Live Freedom!"

Chad Landry
TC Member #643
ACES Member #4556
'68 El Camino, 357, L31 Vortec heads, 700R4,
8.2 10-bolt, 3.55 gears, Auburn Pro Posi.