I intended to replace the timing chain today when I was doing the water pump, but the chain will have to wait until next weekend when I change the tranny. Gonna be a pain to pull it all again, but I already missed a day of work getting the water pump done.

In any case I "attempted" to remove the 4 13MM bolts that hold the pulley on - the 18MM crank bolt came out like butter. I was only able to get 1 of the 13MM bolts out. I managed to break 2 13MM sockets and 2 3/8->1/4 socket converters before I threw in the towel. Had PB blaster on the bolts all day, the other 3 never so much as budged. The sockets broke when I multiplied my torque with a long metal tube on the end of a ratchet (actually its the pump arm for my jack.)

Any ideas? Maybe a craftsmen 13MM would hold up better? Maybe I need to have the 18MM crank bolt in tighter before trying?

 

an impact gun would probably do the trick, if ya don't have one try workin like one. Instead of just pushin or prying as hard as ya possibly can try to bump em loose by hittin em with short bursts on energy sorta like hittin somethin with a hammer.. other then that keep sprayin em with penetrating lube and cross your fingers.

 

Might want to up the drive size. Try getting a 3/8 or better yetr, 1/2" drive. And yes, higher quality sockets help.

 

If you cant get your hands on an impact gun, go pick up a Craftsman Mechanics set...preferrably one with a 1/2" drive. Not only will you get a bigger, stronger drive, you will get a set of tools that is bulletproof...and if for some reason, you manage to break something again, the tools are guaranteed for life. Also, with that 1/2" drive, you won't be busting up your knuckles anymore. I know the feeling, we've all been there before

 

I would add that an impact wrench is much less likely to break bolts. You can twist the heads right off of bolts with a pipe extension that an impact would loosen easily. If you can not get an impact, than try what 89RsPower! suggested, it works better than long metal tubes!