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..

Paul

Ha, ha, ha. I'm not laughing at you, I'm laughing with you. I wonder how many people have done that (and will admit it). I have, too many times.



Have your wife (or girl friend) 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.




"The Master Cylinder"

Enjoying life at the beach in SOCAL

Yeah, I've done it more than once.  Never spun the bolt off though.    I think my breaker bar hit the frame making a hell of a racket.

Mike, located in the Siskiyou mountains, Southern, OR 292 powered 1946 Ford 1/2 ton, '62 Mercury Meteor, '55 Country Squire (parting out), '64 Falcon, '54 Ford 600 tractor.

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.

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

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..

Paul

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.

55 Vicky & customline

58 Rack Dump, 55 F350 yard truck, 57 F100

59 & 61 P 400's, 58 F100 custom cab, 69 F100, 79 F150, 82 F600 ramp truck, 90 mustang conv 7 up, 94 Mustang, Should I continue?