Im in the process of pulling my pistons out with the engine in the car, and I have everything off now including the head, oil pan, baffle, etc. Now I can easily reach two out of the four rods' bolts, the other two (#2 + 3) are just out of reach because of the bridge/girdle. Now, I want to take off the girdle, but I know there is a loosening sequence and I dont want to take off all the caps. Is there a way around this, has anyone done this, a step-by-step? Please help, this project has been taking WAY too long. TIA!

 

you should be able to rotate the crank in a way that you can slip the socket with a long enough extension through the holes of the crank girdle.

carefully look between the girdle as you rotate the crank you will see that you can easily access the bolts.

ive done it before so i know its possible......

 

Yeah I know that can be done its just I didnt want to do the timing belt because I dont have the tool to take off the crank pulley...thanks though maybe ill have to try it but anyone else have any ideas?

 

if you just pulling the pistons and rods out why do you need to take the girdle out? and what does the timing belt have to do with anything? you already have the head off so the timing needs to be re-set anyway once you put everything back together. you don't have to remove the crank pulley or timing belt for what you are doing.

also you should stop what your doing if you don't have a HLEMS manual with you......it will guide you through all the install and removal sequences.

 

Yeah I know what youre saying, and I do have a Helms, cant live without it But what i meant is that I WILL have to remove timing belt after its done, I have it on there but if I rotate the crank to get to the pistons the belt will slip teeth and Ill have to remove it and reset it, yknow?