Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi,

Any ideas how to get main pulley nut undone. Don't have access to air compressor, engine is pretty much ready to come out of car and want to replace timing chain and give good clean up.
Also before i start attacking the thing - is clockwise or anticlockwise to undo?

Thanks

Rob

Rob
Usual prep , clean around area and soak with Plus gas dismantling fluid ( WD 40 if no Plus gas ) leave overnight is possible to soak in.
There should be a lock washer behind the nut , so make sure that it has been knock flat ( old screwdriver / small cold chisel and buy a new lock washer for re-assembly later ). It's going to be done up tight ( 70 lbs / ft ) so ...put car in car and handbrake on. " Put kettle on " and pour hot water slowly over the nut area to heat it up and expand the metal, then get stuck in. If it doesn't move , repeat the hot water treatment. If successful remember the nut will be " hot". If you don't remember... go through the range of expletives as you dance around for your audience !!

Ideally the pulley should pull off but a pulley extractor should be used if it's stuck. Either hot water treatment / two large screwdrivers placed 180 degrees to each other will lever off if no extractor is to hand. Don't lever on the "flange " part of the pulley ,the metal is weak , use the thicker part nearer the centre. Remember that there is a Woodruff Key holding the pulley in position. Don't damage it , getting it out , you will need to re-use it. As the Manual says it's small and easily lost, so place in a jam jar , labelled and put in a safe place. When you eventually re-assemble put a dab of grease on it , so it is less likely to be knocked out.

Finally remember you left the car in gear , put it in neutral ( I always cover my gearstick with a duster when I put the car in gear , to remind me ).
Good luck with it.
Bob
P.S anti clock to undo

After knocking back the lock tab - and no need for release oil etc - it lives in an oily environment . Put a good fitting spanner/wrench/pipe wrench on the (presumed) starter dog (since it's a Minor) - rest it on the nearside chassis leg and put an old jacket/blanket over and under it to stop it flying - then jab the starter....Ign OFF - obviously I hope. the pulley should pull off easily with fingers- never known a 'puller' to be needed.