Need help with my cam replacement
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Staging Lane
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 57
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From: Texas
Need help with my cam replacement I'm trying to put in a new cam in car and I am having trouble removing the haromonic balancer pulley. I have a 95 Firehawk with the LT1, of course, and I can't get the harmonic balancer pulley off for the life of me. I've removed the center bolt and am using a 3-bolt pulley removal tool and I can't get the SOB to budge. I also tried heating up the pulley with a propane torch to try and get it to expand a bit, but also without any luck. Any ideas or suggestions?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 57
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From: Texas
Also, I've been careful to not heat it too close to the rubber ring for that reason so, I'm aware of that problem. Thanks for the warning though! Any other ideas?
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From: Decatur, TN (N-W of Athens)
Spray in some PB Blaster from the front (and even behind it if you can squeak in the straw). If you want, after waiting over night (spray it before bed) use some LIGHT heat, but I wouldn't get it too hot.
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Staging Lane
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 57
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From: Texas
TECH Senior Member
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From: Decatur, TN (N-W of Athens)
That's what I used on this Vortec motor. I don't know of any other way to pull one off, since that style insures equal pressure around the hub. Best thing to do is make sure you tighten the 3 bolts down equally, or use shorter ones so they bottom out flush with the hub.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 57
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From: Texas
I can try the shorter bolts, but what I am wondering is if the puller is the correct type of puller or not? I'm not sure if it's bottoming out on the crankshaft or the hub and if I'm bottoming out on the hub, which I'm starting to think I am, then I need to get a different puller from somewhere.
Another reason I'm wondering if AZ gave me the right puller is that NONE of the bolts that are included in the puller's box fit in the pulley; they're too small. I am using the bolts off my heads to do this and they are hard to get through the holes on the puller itself.
Another reason I'm wondering if AZ gave me the right puller is that NONE of the bolts that are included in the puller's box fit in the pulley; they're too small. I am using the bolts off my heads to do this and they are hard to get through the holes on the puller itself.
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From: Decatur, TN (N-W of Athens)
Pull off the end piece if you think you are and stick on the other attachment. If there is no other attachment, find a small washer that'll fit in the hub on the crank so you don't tighten down the center bolt on the puller and eff up threads on accident.
you may want to try a 3 claw puller for the pulley balancer, mine was stuck on pretty good and i got it off in 10 mins , I then used the threaded bolts/ puller for the crank hub
I used the same tool you are from Autozone to take off the balancer and it came off instantly. It didnt work for me to take the hub off tho b/c the bolts they gave were too small.
i know your problem, its b\c you cant use that kind of puller, you are pulling against yourself. The bottom where the center hole is, well its not very big and the tip of the puller your useing doesnt fit through it.
use the puller but leave the center bolt in.. but just back it almost all the way out.. when you dont do this you are actually pulling the pulley against the pulley... so in turn your shimming out the puller with the bolt, that way it pulls it away from the crank... so leave the center bolt in but just unthread it almost all the way ... then when it bottoms out on the bolt... loosen the center bolt .. and repeat.. or hit it with a dead blow hammer ... i hope i helped