Loose crank damper bolt


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By PF Arcand - 13 Years Ago
Was going to check the timing. Turned the engine manually to mark timing marks. Lost focus after & tried starting the engine, forgetting that the wrench was still on the crank. It hit the lower rad hose & spun the damper bolt completly loose. It's a Fordomatic.. so I can only get about 45 lb torque before the engine turns. The manual says it needs to be 85 lb minimum. Is there a safe way to stop the engine turning? Sorry to bother people over a dumb error, but need a safe solution. Thanks..
By The Master Cylinder - 13 Years Ago
Ha, ha, ha. I'm not laughing at you, I'm laughing with you. BigGrin I wonder how many people have done that (and will admit it). I have, too many times.



Have your wife (or girl friendWink) crawl under the car and wedge a LARGE screwdriver in the flex plate/starter gear. Then tighten your damper bolt. There is also a tool available for holding the gear.



As a precaution disconnect the battery while doing this.
By 46yblock - 13 Years Ago
Yeah, I've done it more than once.  Never spun the bolt off though.  Tongue  I think my breaker bar hit the frame making a hell of a racket.
By aussiebill - 13 Years Ago
PF Arcand (4/24/2012)
Was going to check the timing. Turned the engine manually to mark timing marks. Lost focus after & tried starting the engine, forgetting that the wrench was still on the crank. It hit the lower rad hose & spun the damper bolt completly loose. It's a Fordomatic.. so I can only get about 45 lb torque before the engine turns. The manual says it needs to be 85 lb minimum. Is there a safe way to stop the engine turning? Sorry to bother people over a dumb error, but need a safe solution. Thanks..

45LB IS OK, IF YOU,VE EVER REMOVED THE BALANCER YOU WILL KNOW THEY WONT JUST FALL OFF THE CRANK, THEY ARE ON TIGHT, IF YOU,RE NOT HAPPY WITH IT, ADD LOCKTITE TO BOLT AND RETORQUE TO WHAT EVER YOU CAN GET.Smile

By PF Arcand - 13 Years Ago
Aussi Bill, come to think of it, I'll bet the bolt wasn't tightened to spec to start with. This thought is based on the fact that the wrench stopped turning against the lower rad hose & barely dented it, before spinning the bolt loose. I may just use your Locktite idea. Thanks to all who replied..
By Y block Billy - 13 Years Ago
First question is why did you need a wrench to check the timing, isn't a timing light for that?

2nd, I haven't done it yet but came close a few times, then thought of it the last minute before hitting the key or remote starter button.

3rd there are a couple ways, take a spark plug out and thread small some rope in a cylinder until the piston comes up against it or you could wedge something in to the belt, pinch the belt and hold the fan while you are torquing.