I'm trying to tighten my flex plate bolts but the engine just keeps turning over on me. I thought if I put it in drive the tranny would hole it, no good on that. The only other things I I can think of are putting a bar in the spark plug hole which seams like a really bad idea or holding the crank bolt which I don't really feel like snapping off.
Is their a right way to do this?

 

Wedge a big screwdriver in the flexplate teeth, or you can buy a tool with a long handle that engages the flexplate teeth. You could also have an assistant try a strap wrench on the balancer, or use an engine turning tool bolted to the balancer.

 

If the engine and trans are still in the car, what I usually do is wedge a long screwdriver or prybar into one of the flexplate teeth and have the handle get jammed on the ground... Works well if you have a screwdriver the right length...

 

weld it in place....just kidding

but REALLY BAD IDEA to stick something in the cylinder, best bet is a helper, the screwdriver idea or a flywheel wrench, but then you need to hands

 

I put a piece of pipe in between the flexplate hole and the block. worked for me.

 

Replace pipe with screwdriver and I went with tokens idea as I didn't have a big enough screw driver to wedge into the flexplate. My flex plate is finally tight again, it's nice not to be the one driving the old car sounding like it's about to explode all the time. The haynes manual only calls for 35ft/lbs on the flexplate to converter bolts though it seemed low to me so I put them in at 55ft/lbs with red permetex, I shouldn't have any problems right?

 

unless you are running a big stall, or lots of power, or slicks/sticky street tires, no you shouldnt.....cause i have seen a flew plate crack around the screws because they were tightened down to over 60 ft/lbs....but then again that had all of the above in the car

 

Have someone else use a socket to holt the crank pulley bolt. Thats how me and my cousin did it only 2 weeks ago.

 

that kinda works, but i hate the idea of stressing the crank threads that much.... (ive stripped them out before....never want to again)



what i do is pretty simple and quick... take the crank pully bolts out, slip it off, screw the crank pulley bolts back in.... then stick a rod (jack handles work well...so do breaker bars and cheater bars) thru the bolts..... it'll hold it still then.

 

I did the same as Token when I had an auto.