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Topic: What to do Now ?

in Forum: C3 Engines


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What to do Now ? (1/9)
 5/15/10 12:24pm
aceintheholeLifetime Member
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Manteca, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed


Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623

 I've got a dilema for ya folks. I tore down the top of the wifes car to refresh all the gaskets and adjust things before I changed out the tranny. With everything out of the way, I noticed the rubber in the balancer protruding and breaking off. No sweat. Time to change it, I've got one. I put a 5/8" 6 point impact socket on my air gun and let'er rip. It impacted for a few seconds and then spun free Ouch. All of the sudden, I remember when I put that motor in I saw that issue and experienced that rounded  bolt once before. The 1/4" washer behind it was actually sunk in the middle as if someone used a "badder" air tool than I have. Anxious to get'er running I put off this battle 'til later Confused. Well, later doesn't have to be now either but with all this room to work I'm hoping to arm myself with enough ideas to do battle with this thing and win. Lord knows I don't want to have to change the crank (too bad, her vette was running so good, I'm sure she won't understand what the He** I'm doing to it or why Unhappy ). I have already tried a nut extractor, with the tapered teeth that bite. I used my breaker bar and it grabbed and then spun. I 've searched the part houses for miracle tools, but they only stock what I already have. I've been advised to weld a nut on to it, or cut the bolt head off and remove the balancer and then grab the shoulder and remove it but, I'd like to collect more ideas before I do anything I might further regret. Any and all ideas are welcome my friends. I've got the radiator and all out, so I guess I'll put the top end back together while I ponder this developement.  aceinthehole2010-05-15 16:35:51

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Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

 
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What to do Now ? (2/9)
 5/15/10 6:09pm
anips
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sonoma, CA - USA

Vette(s):
72 LT-1 AC coupe,69 l-36 coupe


Joined: 8/9/2002
Posts: 784

that washer is pertty thick to be sunken, you have all the ideas that I could suggest, good luck
What to do Now ? (3/9)
 5/15/10 10:22pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
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You may wind up cutting the head off, and then welding a nut on the end. I've seen a couple that were really tight like that, but....I've seen more that stripped the threads in the crank from being too tight...
There's really no need for a crank bolt to be that tight....yeeesh! Bubba been around yer car, has he?
Another off the wall idea is to try a pipe wrench on it. I'm assuming you already have all of the pulleys off. You'll need some way to "lock" the engine down so the crank won't turn...easiest to lock the flywheel, or if it's a standard trans, disconnect the shift linkage, and put the trans in Rev and first at the same time. That will lock the crank down.
One trick I've used many times, tho it's a little dangerous, is to put a socket with a long breaker bar on the bolt, and wedge the breaker bar against the frame. Dis-connect the ignition wiring so it won't start, and then "bump" the key a time or two. This makes the starter break the bolt loose. Of course, if the bolt head is messed up, this ain't gonna work, but if your pipe wrench is long enough, you can certainly give it a try...just be very careful.


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What to do Now ? (4/9)
 5/16/10 9:30pm
aceintheholeLifetime Member
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Manteca, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed


Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623

Hey ! Now that you mention it Joel, I can't remove the lower pully wheel, and a closer inspection says alot. The large 1/4" thick washer behind the bolt is overlapping the pulley Confused. It's 2" in diameter and the washer on my other vette is 1 3/4". Oh man! That explains why I am having a problem. That washer is sunken in because it barely overlaps the lower pulley and was able to sink in when over tightened with an air gun. I guess it worked OK for Bubba when he got that balancer from the junk yard. Once again, I'd be wise to let sleeping dogs lie, at least until we return from the gathering. the wife wants to take her car so she can share in the driving (it's an automatical transmixer LOL, she doesn't do well with my clutch Clap,Wink.)..........OK, let's see,...now where did I put that trans I was going to switch out ? AHHhh Big smile, life is good.

______________

Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

 
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What to do Now ? (5/9)
 5/18/10 11:44am
aceintheholeLifetime Member
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Manteca, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed


Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623

Well, before this subject fades away to the archives, I would just like to thank you gentlemen for inputing. Every little bit helps. I have a few info sources locally, a friend with a repair shop, and others that restore cars, but I respect no answers more than that which comes from the great collective minds on this forum, some of the best in the world, no question High Five. With your help, I am able to make a decision on my plan of attack, before stepping in too deep Thumbs Up. It's spring so, I'll back off of this for now, and planning on the worst scenario, tear back into it in the fall. I'll let you know how it turns out.







______________

Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

 
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What to do Now ? (6/9)
 5/22/10 8:16am
nosal1
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Dunedin, FL - USA

Vette(s):
1980 Corvette Torch Red with Gold metallic 370HP/350 CU.IN.Turbo 350 w/shift kit.Originally CA.Car with 305 CU.IN.


Joined: 3/21/2006
Posts: 262

Jimmy,
      I think you will have to take a cutting torch to the "rounded " 5/8's bolt head,once you have it cut off and washer gone,remove the three bolts holding the pulley on,then pull harmonic off of the crank,then heat the bolt with the torch,then try a 12" pipe wrench with a cheater bar on the remaining bolt.With the flywheel locked down,and with a whole lot of luck and umph,get er done......
      If it sounds like I have been there before,I have!!!!!!
     Good luck to you and be careful....
           Sal C     
What to do Now ? (7/9)
 5/22/10 11:26am
anips
Former Member

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sonoma, CA - USA

Vette(s):
72 LT-1 AC coupe,69 l-36 coupe


Joined: 8/9/2002
Posts: 784

being a certified navy welder at one time I personally would not use a torch to cut the head off, too confined an area and you might damage the lower pulley or send a hot one somewhere and cause a fire, I think I would grind the head off, after removing the dampner you will have the stub left, I don't think the bolt is long enough to bottom in the crank it might come out with little effort, if some bonehead used lock tight then I would heat the stub and then let it cool stone cold, what happens is the stub expands when hot  and retracts when cold hopefully that might loosen any lock tight, if you heat the stub it will expand and makeit harder to get it out, if anything you want the stub cold and the crank snout warm, and if that doesnt work weld a nut onto the stub and say your prayers.
What to do Now ? (8/9)
 5/22/10 10:32pm
lukesvetteLifetime Member
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HOWELL, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.


Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812

I once welded a small spark plug socket over a bolt after I wiz-wheeled the stripped head off. The socket has a six point end on it (thing it might be 3/4"). Used a breaker bar with an impact socket on that and presto!! Bolt came free!! Clap

Good luck Jimmy.Wink

Paul
lukesvette2010-05-22 19:32:57
What to do Now ? (9/9)
 5/22/10 10:36pm
aceintheholeLifetime Member
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Manteca, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed


Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623

A very BIG thank you to all that contributed thoughts to my predicament. I'll file it all in my memory banks until I can get my courage up and approach this again. At least I now feel confident my next attempt will be successful Thumbs Up Thumbs Up.    

______________

Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

 
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