What a day I have been driving my LS1 SS for 5 months now while my LT1 has sat on the back burner. Today I start my Lt1 project early so i can get it back together. Too make a long story short after hours of trying to break the 3 bolts free i had to go get a impact wrench to remove the damn 3 bolts that hold the crank on the hub. After i get them out I spray the damn pulley with a load of PB blaster, I tapped it with a hammer, put a pry bar in between the pulley and my front sway bar and i still cant get the damn thing off I did a search but i cant find any info on this. I already have my new waterpump ready to go,all i need to do is get the crank pulley off so i can replace the Opti and put her back to together again. Any info is appreciated! Thanks

 

3 jaw gear puller or harmonic balancer puller... either will work, but the 3 jaw needs to be of decent size.

Your local auto parts store should rent 'em.

 

Try a "crow's foot" puller. About 15 bucks at any Advance.

 

Yeah I'd recommend the puller.

How come it took you so much work to get those bolts out? Are they rusted in there? I grabbed the 1/2" breaker bar and ****ed them up in about 15 seconds. If they were rusted, the balancer might have rust on it and that's why it's such a bitch.

 

Yes Im not the strongest guy in the guy but far far from the weakest! There is plenty rust on the bolts and im guessing on the pulley also m gonna head back out @8am and try to finish this project.

 

Remember ya got to put a smaller bolt long enough to go through the flange on the inside and bottom in the bolt hole in the crank.
Go to Shoeboxe's site for details

 

When you use a puller be sure you are engaging the balancer and not the hub to which it is attached. See the drawing here:
http://shbox.com/ci/balancer_hub.jpg

 

Try not to use a hammer or pry bar. You dont wanna put any harsh pressure on the mains or possibly bend the end of the crank. A puller is the only suggested way to do this.

 

I use a 3 jaw puller and it works like a charm...you'll be surprised how easy it will come off...put the pry bar and hammer down

 

Never "pry" on the crank pulley or you may damage it. Spray some lube around the center hub and let it soak in. Use the three jaw gear puller and it should break free. Shoebox site (http://shbox.com/page/index.html) has step by step pictures (#38) for reference.

 

Why no just pull the hub off and replace the whole thing.It should not be that hard to come off.Something must be wrong or you may not have the pulley hooked up right.

The jaws should be on the outside of the pulley.

 

No, no, no. That's a good way to ruin a pulley. Also, he has no reason to pull the hub. too.

 

Close to 10 years sitting on there plus rust buildup is an easy reason as to why it won't just "come off"... most don't, and need a puller.