Swapping Crank Pulley

[Enough]

Buy a 16mm threaded rod and a nut and a half dozen washers from McMaster Carr. You need to have 1 and 1/2 diameters (24mm) of thread engagement or you risk stripping out the crank. Yes you can sometimes get away with using the stock bolt but if you strip the crank thread you have some work ahead of you.

[Stephen12ZL1]

Originally Posted by ace32x

is it that snug you cant even get it pushed in a bit by tapping witha rubber mallet? i guess ill find out i have the metco 13% OD pulley on the way as we speak

I tried the rubber mallet and it was too snug and no room to get a decent swing. Line up the keyway and it is quite snug. The longer bolt pushed it right on with no problems.

[Stephen12ZL1]

Originally Posted by ladandrewe

it wouldn't be a problem using the factory bolt as the install tool.

it wouldn't be a problem if the factory was long enough...if you have done it, please let us know how when reinstalling an aftermarket balancer. With the stock balancer, I understand how the stock bolt will work

[skyking650]

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO REMOVE ANYTHING ACCESSORY WISE TO CHANGE THE LOWER PULLEY......Some quick instructions....

NO Hammers or Mallets required. Fender covers suggested for the nose of the car

1. Remove the supercharger belt and the accessory belt.

2. The air-conditioning belt is "stretch to fit" so just leave it alone for now

3. Any Decent 1/2 Drive Impact gun will work fine to remove the stock balancer bolt. I have a Chicago Pneumatic and it fit
perfectly between the 2 fan shrouds behind the radiator.

4. You will need a "claw style" puller to remove the balancer. This is a bit of a juggling act when removing from the top. Use a lighted mirror or your fingers to feel the slots in the factory balancer where the claws will grab. Take a 1" socket and install it backwards into the hole in the factory balancer and up against the crank snub while turning the threaded rod of the puller until the 3 claws are tight and the puller rod is tight against the socket which is against the crank. The socket protects the
crank snub from damage and also most pullers threaded rods are not compatible with the threads of the crankshaft and could damage the threads inside the crankshaft making installation of the new crank bolt difficult to impossible.

5. Use a long socket wrench (breaker bar) and turn clockwise on the puller threaded rod until the factory balancer is loose. Be patient...this will take some time as you will only be able to turn about ONE FLAT at a time which will only move the balancer about .030 of an inch with each swing of your breaker bar.

6. Remove the air-conditioning fan belt as you remove the balancer.

7. IMPORTANT- Do NOT install the new pulley onto the aftermarket balancer...you will
not be able to reinstall the ribbed belts and will have to remove the pulley again from the balancer (assuming you are using a 9.55" pulley or larger)

8. Install the new aftermarket balancer using it's supplied bolt (use the old bolt to get you started if so desired). Use RED Loctite on this bolt. A small amount of oil on your fingers placed in and outside of the balancer shaft will help with timing cover seal and help ease the initial fit of the balancer. Make sure to align the keyway before you try to tighten the bolt. You can use a long breaker bar with short extension and socket and turn clockwise on the bolt to "press" the new balancer on. A small impact gun will also do the job. Once tight torque to 130 Ft/lbs. NOTE: If you put the car in 1st gear and set the emerg brake you will be able to torque the bolt (manual cars). Take out of gear once you have torqued the bolt.

9. Install the airconditioning belt by first placing it on the balancer then while holding it against the compressor pulley, rotate the engine counterclockwise with the breaker bar...you will not be able to loosen the crank hub bolt. NOTE: Make sure the belt is on both pulleys correctly. It is the innermost pulley and not easy to see on the balancer.

10. Install the small idler (if included with your pulley kit)
11. Install the new lower pulley using BLUE loctite on each bolt
12 Install both the accessory and supercharger belts.

NOTE: You can find on these forums the belt lengths required for different pulley combinations. Stock upper and 9.55 lower = 69" belt as I just did that on 2 ZL1's in the last week.

[Nemisis]

Awesome, thanks!

[Stephen12ZL1]

gear puller that works well link: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...ht=gear+puller

Other generic parts store type pullers did not engage very well.