food nd cars

What are you guys using to rotate the crank when the crank hub is not on? I've got an old crank socket, but the key is missing on LT1's.

pro94lt

prybar on the flywheel or pull the injector fuse and bump the starter

food nd cars

how bout if its on an engine stand w/o the flywheel?

whytryz28

iTrader: (28)

Can you bolt up the balancer?

food nd cars

I can and but i would prefer not to, because when it comes time to install the timing cover i'm gonna have to rent a puller again.. I'm thinking of getting a crank key and temporarily using it so i can use my old crank socket? anyone do this? What size crank key should i be looking for?

Puck

iTrader: (17)

If you get a key, you might as well take your stock hub to a machinist to be cut for it as well. It will be dirt cheap.

Makes no sense to install it just to turn the engine over and remove it again.

food nd cars

so everyone just uses their crank hub or flywheel?

whytryz28

iTrader: (28)

I just turned mine by hand using the balancer, wasn't hard at all.

food nd cars

yeah. I've been using a grade 8 bolt in place of the stock crank bolt to turn it... Im just afraid of stripping the threads.

Big Al

iTrader: (1)

Use the stock bolt and washer, and a 1/2" drive socket as a spacer. Be sure the plugs are out. You can only turn it clockwise.

Al 95 Z28

food nd cars

Im not following on the 1/2'' drive socket.. haha

tbag_skywalker

Sounds like he's saying to get a socket big enough, like a 1/2" drive socket, to cover the threads of the crank bolt and space it out so that you don't damage the threads.

food nd cars

Wouldn't that weaken the strength of the bolt? having less threads grabbing the crank instead of more threads?

whytryz28

iTrader: (28)

Use you're best judgment, obviously you wont be using a deep set socket. Also with the plugs out it will turn over relatively easy.

SS RRR

iTrader: (2)

I just put a few washers on the crank bolt so it doesn't bottom out before turning the assy. The torque spec on that bolt is something like 75ft lbs. If it takes that much force to rotate your assy. then something is wrong.

nitrous2fast

iTrader: (2)

a degree wheel bolted to the crank would work..

food nd cars

the socket trick works wonderfully