im installing cams and im at the point that i need piston #1 TDC before removing the cams. the problem is when i turn the crank bolt, it loosens. what can i do to prevent it from moving so i can rotate the engine manually?

 

Tighten that thing up to spec!!!!!!!!

 

car was never touched before this and it should be in spec before turning. ill give it a try though, tighten it to spec the turn the engine counter clockwise and it should hold correct?

 

You will have to put the car in gear and have somebody press on the brakes to stop the engine from turning. Then torque it up to spec. Should be over a number 100ft-lbs, refer to service manual!

 

the step on the brake with the car in gear deals with tightening the crank bolt correct? going to be difficult since im alone doing all this but ill find a way how.

 

Well thats the only way to keep your motor from turning with the torque from the torque wrench aside from locking the crank with the tranny off.

 

may i suggest an impact gun???

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NOSed_b18b &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">may i suggest an impact gun???</TD></TR></TABLE>

You can not accurately torque with an impact gun.

 

just to make it clear, this is a PUTTING THE ENGINE AT TDC for a cam install

 

Impact the bolt on there and impact it off when you're ready to put the covers and crankpulley back on.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by IN VTEC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Impact the bolt on there and impact it off when you're ready to put the covers and crankpulley back on.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Why are you taking crank pullies off?

To the original poster of this thread:

You need to put your engine to TDC, right?

You can't, because you have to turn it counterclockwise, and while doing so you came across a BIG problem. Your crank pulley was loose.

So here's what you do.

Put the car in gear, Get somebody to mash on the brakes (so your engine will not turn over) and then torque your pulley to spec. Now we're all set.

Take out your spark plugs and then rotate your crank counterclockwise until the motor is at TDC.

Next you'll have to loosen your tensioner, slip the timing belt off the cams and then proceed with all the monkey work up top. Once done, ensure the cams are at TDC and then slip the timing belt back on, EX side first. Slip the intake side on while pulling on the tensioner (this will be obvious), tighten up your tensioner bolt and voila.

With the spark plugs out, rotate your engine counterclockwise about 6 revolutions and recheck all your markers to ensure your timing is still on. If not, redo your timing, if everything lines up, then put it all back together and enjoy.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NOSed_b18b &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">may i suggest an impact gun???</TD></TR></TABLE> an impsct gun can't even reach the torque specs on that bad boy...if i recall correctley it's like 200-220 ft lbs

 

No no, its somewhere in the low 1xx ft-lbs. Maybe 105 if its a reused bolt and 120 if its a new bolt.

Regardless, impact guns are for loosening, not for tightening important things like a crank pulley up to spec.

 

I'm just answering his question.

He doesn't have to impact on there very tight to get the bolt to hold so that he can turn the crank CCW w/o the bolt slipping off. Just a couple of knocks with the impact does it.

It's easier to read the TDC mark on the oil pump when rotating the crankshaft from down there instead of getting up and down all the time.

Since he's already got the crank pulley bolt off anyways, might as well. It's not that big of a deal.

He could be using a degree wheel for all I know and that's why the pulley is off in the first place.

 

That's cool.

But if you ask me, I feel its a hell of a lot easier to just read the crank pulley marker and line it up with the marker on the lower timing belt cover instead of loosening the alternator and power steering pump to remove the pullies to remove the crank pulley etc...

 

remove the flywheel cover and its a good sices flathead inbetween the teeth and the casing..

This should stop the crank.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jaymar88 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">remove the flywheel cover and its a good sices flathead inbetween the teeth and the casing..

This should stop the crank.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

IMO not worth taking the chance of that kind of "setup"

 

flywheel teeth arent gonna break.

 

If you had two options, would you

A) Unbolt the flywheel cover & engine/tranny stiffening mounts, get large prybar/screwdriver & jam it into flywheel hoping it will not move on its own while torquing the bolt

OR

B) Get your little brother in the car and press on the brake pedal