Crank Pulley

[TerryD]

I'm replacing the opti-spark and the crank pulley is very uncooperative. I tried a puller but stripped out the crappy bolts supplied. Should I try a wood dowel like I've seen in the CorvetteFever tech article on Opti-repair, tapping the pulley on the sides from underneath or should I invest in a better crank puller. My hands are taking a beating! By the way, any recommendations on pressing it back on??? I'm trying not to take it off more than I need to replace the opti.
Thanks for the help in advance, Terry

 

[Chick]

Take a big brass or metal punch and drive it off from the back. Working it from side to side on the pulley...This is how I taken them all off. Spray a little rust penetrant around the hub area first. Make sure you MARK it so it goes ON the way you took it OFF...


After it's off, clean, lube and sand off the hub ....After this it will go back on easy.

Remember you are ONLY taking the pulley....NOT the crank snout with it. That stays on.

--------------------------------------
The only other way is to lift the engine if you think your getting a puller on there.

 

[TerryD]

Vettechick, you're the best. I tried what you told me and voila, no more pulley. I hope it's all downhill from here...the opti and h20 pump are in transit. Thanks again for the advice. Nice web page btw.
Terry D

 

[tred95]

Hey Terry,
Just went thru the same thing on my '95. These folks were a great help.
While I was that far into it, I replaced the front cover seals and gaskets 'cause it was throwing oil all over the place from the opti seal.
I was able to pull the crank hub (after I had the pulley off), but I had to modify a puller to do it.
Good luck with the install...

Pete

 

[TerryD]

Tred95, Thanks for the advice. How many seals/gaskets did you have to replace and was it hard to do? I'm planning to do the same now and am wondering if I will be opening the proverbial can of worms.

 

[tred95]

Terry,
After reading some of the posts regarding leaks, I decided to do all the gaskets and seals that I could access. Especially since I already had most of the stuff off the front of the engine anyway.

So I started by going after the front cover seals, w/p, opti, and crank hub and of course the cover gasket itself. Trouble is the manual calls for removal of the oil pan to get the front cover off, besides the crank hub.

Now to get the oil pan down I followed the manual and it said to remove the starter, oil filter mount, and one of the cats. (I did have a post reply that said I wouldn't have had to remove the cat to get the starter off, but I wanted a clear field to put on a new oil pan gasket.)

While I was waiting for parts I pulled the intake and the valve covers which were all re-gasketed later.

I had plenty of time and worked at it several hours in the evening over the course of a couple weeks.
For me it wouldn't have been finished in a day even if I started with all the parts.

Biggest headache? Removing and installing the cat...2nd, refitting the oil pan with the gasket.

Was it worth it? You betcha!!

After this I'm seriously thinking of getting a lift. Maybe I'll look for a show deal at Carlisle this year.

Good luck...

tred

 

[oldace84]

Since your doing all this work anyway....go for the March Pulley's...gives a little more HP......
And looks cool too!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tony

 

[TerryD]

They make these for LT-1's??? I could always use a little more hoss pow-wa.
td