Locking crank for harmonic balancer removal?

[synoptica]

Hey guys,

Came across a bit of a dead-end when trying to remove the harmonic balancer - the head's already off, so there's no compression to work with - so as soon as the remover pulls tight the crank spins and the balancer stays put.

So where to from here? Is there a way to lock the crank?

- Chris.

[Sammy]

put some bolts in the rear of the crank where the flywheel normal bolts to and use a screw driver to lock into them then put a bolt into the bellhousing hole and that should secure the screwdriver from turning ...

might need someone to hold the screwdriver while you work the balancer though.

[synoptica]

Well I've got it on a stand... I'm thinking if I can find a bolt that's the correct thread then I should be able to use the stand to do it. I'll give it a crack

[FXST01]

Or put a long pipe between the bolts holding the puller on and rest the other end on the floor, when you turn the crank the pipe will hit the floor

[Doctor Bob]

try this
http://forums.justcommodores.com.au/...1&d=1159228630

[synoptica]

Bob - the engine's on a stand... though that is a good idea

[Doctor Bob]

if its on a stand block the crank with whatever you can & undo the bolt.

[synoptica]

It's okay - I just got it.

Yesterday I just had a spanner over one of the bolts, and was levering this against the main bolt of the puller (with a few layers of rag in between) and holding it still with the left hand whilst using the ratchet on the main bolt with the right - but even this wasn't helping much...

So tonight I greased up the pointy bit that sits in the middle... bingo, came out first shot

[Sammy]

yeah that would do it

another option if the sump is off is to get a block of wood and sandwich is between the block and one of the weights on the crank.

[synoptica]

Serious? The thought crossed my mind... but I would've thought that that'd be a bad, bad idea