Main seal from hell

[notamechanic]

This is my first post on this site and it is because I'm running out of options and tools. My 22RE sprunk a leak from the front main seal on the crank. Common problem so I've had many suggestions and tricks proposed... However, the last bolt before the seal is refusing to come off... I started with the breaker bar/starter trick 20 times or so...NOTHING!.. 3 or 4 impact guns, a busted engine locker, a bent cheater bar, some other type of air hammer, and still refused to budge... In the process of taking the condenser off to see if I could fit a larger gun but it turns out theres some steelwork still in the way. Anyone have any other suggestions on things I could try or attempt? it would be much appreciated

[stump runner]

man that's a pain. try buying a really good penetrating oil first and let it soak. another thing i've tried with limited success is heat. try a few cycles of warming then add penetrating oil while it cools each time. this may coax the oil deep into the threads. next if you know someone with acetylene heat it good and hot. if not try propane torch but i've had less luck getting enough heat to work. good luck and when you get it out share your trick. i'm sure others would appreciate the tip as much as i will.

[Oatmeal]

I had one that was that stubborn once :mad: What I did was unbolt the pulley from the harmonic balancer and I made a tool that bolted to the four holes on the balancer with a piece of squre tubing welded to it that jammed against the frame rail to keep the crank from turning, then I was able to break the bolt loose with a mega size breaker bar and socket :grin: When you DO get it apart, do yourself a favor and get a repair sleeve for the crank pulley (I guarantee it will have a groove worn into it) or you'll be doing it again in no time at all. Don't ask me how I know this :rolleyes: Good luck and don't lose your temper! :eek: -----------Hans

[banshee35]

just to make sure, you are trying to turn it the right way right?

[superbutta808]

Try Jack Daniels

[notamechanic]

Thank you guys for the new techniques, I will apply them tomorrow hopefully. As for the thread, I attempted it as would any monkey with power tools, with the breaker bar technique I figured it would be a reverse thread, but not wanting to budge I tried either way with the impact guns in hopes SOMETHING would give...

My plan for tomorrow is probably going to be PB Blaster, heat, and breaker bar+cheater bar....

[bbagwell]

You probably are just not drinking enough beer.

[notamechanic]

Ohhh... dont worry I got lotsa beer

[stump runner]

don't lose your temper! :eek: -----------Hans

take your time
if you lose it then you won't figure it out

[stump runner]

Thank you guys for the new techniques, I will apply them tomorrow hopefully. As for the thread, I attempted it as would any monkey with power tools, with the breaker bar technique I figured it would be a reverse thread, but not wanting to budge I tried either way with the impact guns in hopes SOMETHING would give...

My plan for tomorrow is probably going to be PB Blaster, heat, and breaker bar+cheater bar....

not sure which bolt you're trying to break loose but i think the main pulley bolt is regular right hand thread. don't know of any lefties. but then i have a 3vze and haven't worked on the 4 cyls since my sisters in about 1990 .

good luck

[bodo]

There was a guy on pirate that took a diegrinder and cut the flange off the bolt and then the bolt came out with very little effort. I've also seen that mentioned on 4x4wire but you might want to order a new bolt before you cut the old one.

I don't remember if the pulley has rubber in it for balance or not but if it does I'd be carefull with the heat not to mention all the oil that's sprayed everywhere, could get ugly quick.

x2 on the repair sleeve and remember one of those bolts on the pump calls for thread sealant and a common mistake is putting the wrong bolt in the wrong hole and binding up the tensioner so make sure you label them.

[85yodaflatbed]

Eat your wheaties and use a good chain wrench, a good breaker bar, a good socket, and a good buddy. Easy like that. good luck :grin:

[mike9900]

I would try the heat and oil before I tried cutting it I have seen heat do many wonders with very tight bolts. just my .02

[subliminaltrips]

i agree , take and heat it up with an acetelyne or mapp gass torch then shoot it with pb blaster while its red hot. let it cool and do it again with more pb blaster then try the breaker bar starter trick leave the breaker bar off the frame so it spins a bit before it whacks the frame so it acts like an impact wrench. if that doesnt work pull your oil pan and put a large extension between the crank shaft ballance weights and the block to where the crank cant turn, have a buddy hold it up there if you have to then use a breaker bar and kick the living shit out of it or take it somewhere so they can bust it loose for ya. then tighten it enough to get home.the value of anti seize!!