Erocer

trying to remove the harmonic balance.
want to inspect the timing belt make sure the timing marks are in the right place maybe even replace the belt.
been having problems with I think maybe the timing but not sure trying to lock it down.
all sorts of misfires even backfiring through the throttle body from time to time.
fighting to take the harmonic balance off I need to know if the main bolt holding it on is a reverse thread or not ?
do I take it off like a standard bolt counterclockwise or is it clockwise to take it off ?
in the past working on other cars I've come across reverse threads on the harmonic balance

mk378

You don't have to remove it to check timing. Remove the upper timing cover. Remove spark plug 1 and turn the engine by hand counterclockwise while probing in the cylinder to find when the piston reaches TDC. Then check the marks on the cam pulley.

To remove the crank bolt, turn counterclockwise, it is regular threads. It will be very tight.

Erocer

Snap working in the Houston heat sweating so hard I can't even see and the brain goes into the fog.
and you're not kidding about that boat being tight I actually stood on the break over bar and it still didn't come loose.
last thing I need to screw up a snapping off that Bolt.
appreciate the help

TomCat39

The engine rotates counter clockwise so the pulley bolt is regular thread not reverse. I use a 768 ft-lb torque multiplier to break that bolt free with a standard 36 inch breaker bar.

The lone mark on the pulley away from the 3 marks is the crank TDC mark that should align with the timing cover pointer/site. That coupled with the cam gear marks will tell you if the mechanical timing is correct or off.

Depending on which motor, the motor will dictate how the cam marks are read.