I don't really want to buy a whole set of sockets that I'm not going to use. I have up to a 13/16 but what size is the bolt holding on the harmonic balancer?

 

1⅛".

- Eric

 

An air impact wrench will make this job much easier if you have a compressor. It'll mean pulling the radiator for clearance but it's worth it. A harmonic balancer puller helps too. Should be able to rent that.

 

Thanks guys.

 

An impact wrench makes it easier to get the bolt off, but you still need to torque it to 160 ft lbs to reassemble. To prevent the engine from turning while doing this, I build a simple tool by welding a piece of pipe to an old crank pulley.

 

so that is what I have been saving mangled pulleys for.

Anyone need a crank holding tool?

 

I just did this last week. I bought a 1/4" x 1" x 3' piece of steel at the hardware store used the pulley as a guide and drilled two holes in it and ground the middle down a bit to clear the socket. I bolted it to the HB and wedged it against the ground. I used the handle of my floor jack to extend the socket wrench for leverage and popped it with ease, all with the radiator in (just took the shroud out.)

Craig

 

You need a tool like this to hold the flexplate. You also use it to turn the flexplate so you can insert the three torque convertor bolts. I think I bought it years ago from one of the parts companies.

 

This certainly works, but the problem is that a second person is required to get under the car and hold the flexplate. The beauty of using a tool that bolts to the pulley (as shown in the CSM) is that makes it a one-person job from the topside.

 

All wonderful advice guys. Thank you so much.

 

I rented the puller from Advance Auto. Basically you buy the puller, keep it for up to three months (double check this) and then return for a full refund. Also did that for the AC gauges and vacuum pump. It's a great program.

 

Pep Boys does the same but just 7 days

 

Actually, I have used that tool by myself. Working with car on jack stands, not a lift, I insert the tool, then put a 4 X 4 under the handle to hold it and then tighten the balancer bolt.

 

This is my method with a scrap piece of angle iron I had laying around. Worked great.

 

Us '68ers stick together!