Tightening crankshaft pulley bolt

[tomlucke]

Hi
Any good tips on tightening the crankshaft pulley bolt (engine in the car)?
I'm not sure I can get it near the necessary torque setting without the engine spinning.
Cheers

Tom

[chesney]

Put it in gear/handbrake on

[bmcecosse]

NO! That just puts strain throughout. Jam the flywheel ring gear with a large screwdriver.

[chesney]

Each to their own ;)

[IslipMinor]

The torque for the crankshaft pulley bolt is 70 lbf ft, so not far off what a standard 1098 engine produces, and a lot less than a modifed one would. To tighten the pulley bolt, pull handbrake hard on, select 4th gear and tighten to 70 lbf ft. If the handbrake doesn't hold, which it should, then you will need to get someone to apply the footbrake, and sort out the handbrake afterwards!

[tomlucke]

How would I jam the ring gear?
I guess that means taking the starter motor out??

[bmcecosse]

Yes - go the handbrake way i you wish - but I don't advise it. The whole thing is too 'springy' to get a satisfactory torque on the bolt...

[philthehill]

I would never reccomend using a screw driver (or similar) to lock the flywheel when setting the torque (or undoing) the crankshaft pulley nut/starter dog). Scraped knuckles spring to mind. Unless you have help it is extremely difficult to hold the screw driver and torque up/undo the pulley nut/starter dog. I would always reccomend using a proper flywheel locking tool and much safer too. A suitable flywheel locking tool can be obtained from Somerford Mini http://www.somerford-mini.co.uk part number 085105, cost 15.32 pounds plus postage. Before anyone says the Mini flywheel is different you only need to use one mounting hole of the locking tool ensuring that the direction of rotation pulls the locking tool into the teeth and not push it away. Once you have the tool you will wonder how you ever managed without it. I use mine all the time.

[John.n]

can you not just use the starting handle to tighten it? saves the risk or radiator damage.
Regards,
John

[philthehill]

The starting handle would deform before you got anywhere near the corrct torque

[bmcecosse]

A LARGE screwdriver works fine. But actually an old big-end shell is perfect!

[philthehill]

With respect using an old big end shell in untrained hands to lock the flywheel is just inviting disaster!

[bmcecosse]

It works a treat - wedges in very nicely - no risk whatsoever... You do have to make sure it is an OLD big end shell

[philthehill]

No risk? So long as it does not fall into the bell housing!

[bmcecosse]

Hahahahaha...