Best way to lock a small block 8v crank

[therealnovaboy]

What is the best way to lock a crank on a small block 8v so I can tighten the bottom pulley.

I'm running a 16v sump so don't have the flywheel cover as the sump is one pice. I thought I could remove the starter motor and lock it on the flywheel somehow but not sure if there is an easier way.

[meritlover]

access to the flywheel is normally the easiest way, but not available to you.
starter motor is next obvious choice but a PITA. perhaps your only option

have you tried an air impact wrench?

attempts to stick in gear with footbrake engaged is never really successful. too much 'give' in everything.

[therealnovaboy]

Impact wrench will get it off but im not sure it's the best method to tighten it. Would the air gun be ok to tighten it?

To get the pully off the corsa in the scrappy I wedged a washer under the rocker to give the valve more lift then cut the timing belt and turned the crank till It jammed on the valve. It was a euphoric moment when it came off.

[meritlover]

your euphoric moment sounds truly orgasmic.

impact wrench certainly isnt the best method to tighten the pulley but you have few options.

perhaps try welding up an old starter motor solid so it can be engaged to lock the flywheel in future?

the flywheel is so large you are essentially putting a huge locking force on it for very little effort so a screwdriver would really do. the above makes it possible if you have no friends.

A bit more radical would be to warm the bolt in an oven before tightening with whatever means you can. On cooling, the bolt will contract and tension up. Effectively making it tighter.

[therealnovaboy]

I'd rather know it was torqued correctly. I'd sleep better. I might make a tool that will slot in the starter motor cutout. I've had this problem with a corsa before.

[meritlover]

hmm, thankfully your concern for your own engine is greater than that of the pulley donor engine and your methods to make a high lift cam using washers.

you could fill the sump with water and then let it freeze over night. then simply torque the bolt and allow to thaw. drain the water and top up the oil?

you have little option other than to remove the sump, or lock from the starter motor.

[therealnovaboy]

I thought as much. At one point I was going to remove the spark plug and fill the bore with sand.

[meritlover]

these are all very good ways of locking the crank

what if you used a pair of stilsons on each drive shaft, locked against the wishbone and shoved it in the highest forward gear available?

this should take a lot of the spring out of the brakes and should load up fairly easily? might take a few goes for them to 'bite' and lock up, but once it does, you should be able to get a decent torque on the hold.

if the manual specifies loctite, use it (you wont need a lot). if it was supposed to be greased it would suggest it.

[therealnovaboy]

When I did my corsa I chucked the wheels but the clutch slipped. I don't think you do use loctite. I'll have a look before I do it.

[mowgli]

get an assistant to stand on the brakes with it in top gear. then tighten it. the torque you use will be way less than the clutch clamping force

[therealnovaboy]

I'll give it a go. Finding an assistant may be a problem.

[meritlover]

this is why using stilsons on he drive shafts is better.

or lock both hubs with old tie-bars.

[mowgli]

but stilsons cost way more than a female assistant or even a block of wood wedged between the seat & brake pedal