99camssconv

I have completed a cam and head upgrade on my 99 camaro ss, and when I got to the crank pulley install I thought this would go great. I seated the crank pulley, put in the old bolt and started wrenching down. Well after much torque on this thing I realized the crank pulley still wasn't aligned with the other pulleys and knew something was wrong so went to back it out. After snapping a 12" 1/2 drive breaker bar and needing a 3 foot 3/4 monster bar with a 24mm 3/4 impact socket to get it out ( i thought the bolt was gonna snap out) im back to square one. Ive cleaned out the threads and am tapping it now, just waiting on a new timing cover (wedging a breaker bar inbetween to try and get the last part off punched a hole in it) but the threads in the cranksnout look good. So my question is what tips, tricks and tools can I use to make sure this thing actually goes on right this time. Ive heard heating up the pulley, and a couple other things but if anyone can give me some good idiotproof step by step for a successful reinstall it would be great. I have two new crank pulley bolts to use since the original one is missing 4 threads near the top and is bent. And if anyone can give me an idea why the pulley never got aligned that would help. It got to where the center rib between the two belt grooves was aligned with the inside of where the other pulleys were aligned to be, so it was still about an 1/8 to a 1/4 of an inch off. Thanks.

Im on the left, pulley is on the right

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

First, a pulley installer is your best friend here. At first, its VERY important that you get the pulley started perfectly straight. It will bind up on you and simply not go any further bc the clearances are so tight. Lube the crank snout, and get your hands on a pulley installer if at all possible.

PontiacFan

iTrader: (104)

Pre-heating/Warming the pulley sometimes is helpful also. Now that you've got two new bolts, & will have the new cam cover, ..., Get the install tool!
PM 97ramsst & buy one from him.

But most of all, ..., Why didn't you read all about this well-known issue way before now?!?
Read, read, & read some more, ...

eseibel67

iTrader: (10)

Confirming post #2 and #3 are exactly right on.

fleetmgr

All of the above!!!!

99camssconv

All good stuff. I guess I was so caught up in reading on cam alignment and the head install that reinstalling the pulley didnt hit me as a PITA that could go horribly wrong.

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

I truely hate to see people strip crank threads. Thats why I push the installers so much and why I bought one myself.

98ZEMT

iTrader: (5)

I fought tooth and nail to get my crank pulley back on. The ASP underdrive pulley was a LITTLE bit easier to get on but not that much. I broke two, no, make that three 3 jaw pullers getting the damn thing off. And had a hell of a time getting the new one on. I wish I knew where to get an installer. I've not seen one. Where are ya'll buying these?

fleetmgr

You can get them from Summit.

98ZEMT

iTrader: (5)

Really? The only one I saw on their was a universal. I tried using that one. No go. Too big.

99camssconv

From what I saw of the picture of the installer on this forum, its 16mm x 2.0 threaded rod, a nut and a couple washers. I got the nut and washers at home depot, just searching for the rod now.