Timing Chain Replacement
 

So I've come to the conclusion that I need a new timing chain/gears. I took the dist cap off and I have probably 10-15 crank degrees of lag. My engine has 193k on it so I'm not surprised. Anybody have any clever tricks to keep the crank from rotating to manually loosen the crank pulley bolt?

Re: Timing Chain Replacement
 

Lock the flywheel with a screwdriver, or use one of those band straps around the harmonic balancer.

Re: Timing Chain Replacement
 

I have an old compression tester hose that I removed the valve, the hose hooks up to shop air. Screw that into a spark plug hole & turn the engine over by hand, once the valves close there should be enough resistance to loosen the crank bolt.

Re: Timing Chain Replacement
 

Don't use a strap wrench on the balancer. It could slip, then you would be in real trouble. Impact wrench works really well if you have air....

Re: Timing Chain Replacement
 

Good point on the strap, hadn't thought of that, the screwdriver always worked for me. I couldn't fit my impact gun in their on mine, it was too long with the radiator still in.