Topic: How to get the cam gear bolt off when the engine doesn't have.....

[dirtbag]

......a transmission behind it. Any ideas? I don't want to be breaking anything, minimum tools and money, so please be gentle. Yes, it still has the flywheel. Only thing I need to take off besides the cam gear bolt is the 12mm bolt right beneath it    Then I will be able to pull the head off to replace the head gasket 

TIA   DB 

[brainlessfool]

impacket gun, 1/2 inch should do it.   

[dirtbag [OP]]

impacket gun, 1/2 inch should do it.   

limited tools 
I don't have an impact, nor do I have an air compressor.

[brainlessfool]

socket, braker bar and a hammer.   

[dirtbag [OP]]

socket, braker bar and a hammer.   

but, my question is:

How do I keep the engine from turning over while trying to loosen the bolt? I need a second person, don't I?

[brainlessfool]

no.

[dirtbag [OP]]

no.

well, how do I keep the engine from spinning then?

[brainlessfool]

ya put the socket on the bolt, the braker bar in the socket, take up any slack in the losen dirction and pow! bolt lose.

[dirtbag [OP]]

I tried that, and it just turns the engine over.

[brainlessfool]

then your doing some thing wrong. trun the eng. a little, then get the BFH ready, and POW! it will come lose! p.s. trun the eng. the way the bolt is going to come out.   righty tighty,lefty losey.

[89 toy]

put a socket and breaker bar on the crank pully bolt to hold it

[brainlessfool]

if your still having turble you could put the spark plugs back in and try again.

[dirtbag [OP]]

spark plugs are still in it 

[kyle_22r]

you guys are thinking waaay too hard.  get some small diameter nylon rope, put the engine about 1/4 turn after TDC on the #1 compression stroke, and feed a bunch of it in(make sure you leave an end to pull out!).  using a screwdriver to poke it down the spark plug hole helps.  when you try to loosen the bolt by turning it counterclockwise, the piston will compress and lock against all the rope in the cylinder and youll be able to get the bolt to break loose.

you can also use this trick to tighten bolts, just put the crank before top dead center instead of afterward.  i put my flywheel on and torqued the bolts when the engine was hanging from the hoist

[BLACKDOG]

thats not a bad idea at all   I used two people to put my flywheel on, and it was sitting on a tire on the ground

[reklund5]

If the engine doesn't have a crappy aftermarket timing set in it, then this will work.  As long as the cam gear has holes in it, stick a 6" long 3/8" socket extension in a hole and jam it against the rocker arm cage.  Loosen the bolt with a breaker bar and you're set...

Ryan

[dirtbag [OP]]

well, I got it off, thanks guys 

I had a 3/4" drive socket with a 3" extension and a 19mm socket, then, while holding that with one hand, I hit it about 5 times with a 3' piece of 2x2 wood. Thank you again, guys. Have a 24-pack on me....


                      
                      

[brainlessfool]

a 2X2?    ya don't even have a BFH?? 

[dirtbag [OP]]

a 2X2? ya don't even have a BFH??

I do, but my BFH is TOO BIG for that job:

a 20 lb. Sledge/axe combo 

[brainlessfool]

I do, but my BFH is TOO BIG for that job:

a 20 lb. Sledge/axe combo 

Awwww, that's not to big. and the trill of putting your fingers at risk makes the job more fun! 

[eddybaboy]

Awwww, that's not to big. and the trill of putting your fingers at risk makes the job more fun!

haha

[kneedownnate]

Ummmm, what about locking the flywheel in place?  That's how I do it.  You probably could rent a flywheel tool at a local crappy parts store if there's one available.  I know you said you already got it, just trying to help for future reference.