Timing chain cover removal

[beavo040]

During repair of blown head gasket on a 2000 sport 4.0L SOHC, noticed the rear timing chain guide was in pieces. I'm assuming the crankshaft pully needs to be removed in order to remove the timing cover??? If this is correct, is there a special tool that's needed to hold the pully in place so the bolt can be loosened? Haynes manual is of no help and I'm beyond frustrated with this thing. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[bobflood]

Best way is with an air impact gun. Alternate way I have used on other vehicles - put correct size socket with breaker bar on the bolt; brace end of bar against garage floor or frame of vehicle (use pipe to extend end of bar if necessary); hit the starter once or twice. Starter usually puts enough torque on bolt to break it loose; basically you are holding the bolt in place and turning the hole. Cautions: Understand your direction of rotation when you are bracing bar. Do NOT try and hold bar - good way to get seriously hurt! Good luck.

 

[beavo040]

Engine is already out of the vehicle, plus I have a bunk starter....so won't be able to use the second method stated. Going to fire up the compressor and give the impact a shot. Thanks for the ideas.

Well, no luck with the impact gun either. Any other ideas floating around out there?

 

[lobo411]

When I did this, I found that my crankshaft pulley had two holes in it. I stuck a drill bit in one of the holes and turned the crank until I got the bit against what seemed like a solid part of the casting.

 

[beavo040]

already tried it.......broke everything I could put through the hole.

 

[beavo040]

Finally got the bolt to break loose. Removed the bolt, but still can't get the damn pulley off. This thing is about to find a scrap yard real quick!

 

[2000StreetRod]

standard puller?

If you're using a standard puller the center shaft is probably too large in diameter and pressing against the collar of the pulley instead of the end of the crankshaft. This may help: Under timing cover inspection

 

[rb142]

Finally got the bolt to break loose. Removed the bolt, but still can't get the damn pulley off. This thing is about to find a scrap yard real quick!

It's going to get a lot more frustrating before your are done, i'm afraid. It's a big, intricate job.

You definitely need some special, long bolts to get that pulley off. There are some good threads here about just what you need to get the pulley off. Read through StreetRod's helpful threads. Most everything you need to know is in there.