I'm about to blow this damn car up...

[jimmyjoejoe]

Does anyone know of a good way to remove the cam sprocket bolts?
I've scored the hell out of the teeth trying to use the pliers they reccomend in the manual, and I don't have a strap wrench -which I kind of doubt would work anyway.
This is making me so goddamned angry I'm almost ready to say, "screw it" and just buy another beater. Grrr.

[evolutionmovement]

Impact wrench, put belt back on for easier bracing, build fixture to connect the three pulleys as I did.

Steve

[jimmyjoejoe]

Well, I'm not about to put the t-belt back on (it was a bit of a bitch to get off), and I don't have, or have access to, an impact wrench.
I was looking at a diagram that showed a pretty specific looking tool used for removing the bolts... maybe I can fabricate something like that. Thanks for the suggestion.

[legacy92ej22t]

Don't actually reinstall the timing belt, just use it to hold the cam sprocket. Run it around the crank sprocket and the cam sprocket both and, get a really good grip and bust that puppy loose. I've actually used this method so I know it can be done.

Best thing for future reference is to break the bolts loose before you remove the belt.

[Matt Monson]

soak it overnight with penetrant. I had a really tough one that I hit with an impact for like 20 minutes. Soaked it three times and let it sit overnight, and it popped loose first try.

BTW,
Wal-Mart sells a $15 cigarette lighter adapter impact rated at 250ft/lbs. While I doubt the rating, I have dismantled 4 complete longblocks and changed my wheels at the track and home countless times with this thing. Best $15 I ever spent on a tool...

[skid542]

Warning thread hijack - This wal-mart impact wrench. Is the torque adjustable any or are the lugnuts getting put on at whatever torque the wrench maxes out at? I ask because it sounds extremely inticing for 15 dollars.

[Project_Legacy]

sure as hell does. hey Matt Monson did u get my PM??? i sent u a question about that harness i bought from ya...

[jimmyjoejoe]

Ho boy! That bastard finally broke free after a solid 30 minutes of knuckle scarring, thumb smashing, muscle straining effort.
I actually used a bit of artifice to fabricate a backyard sprocket removal tool. I just used a torch to shape some metal and spot welded it together to create something very similiar to the tool being used in the shop manual illustrations. It's not pretty but it works.
Anyway, it came off and I installed the new waterpump. I decided to reuse the old thermostat, though. It's not an actual SoA part, but it appears well made. I bought a new one at Autozone, but when I took it out of the box it looked like a total piece of shit, so I said the Hell with it and reused the old one (which was working fine when the pump took a crap on me).
Hopefully, I'll be able to put the T-belt on tomorrow afternoon. I'm not expecting any problems there, but with my luck, who knows...
Incidentally, thanks Matt Monson! I'm gonna head down to Sprawl Mart tomorrow after work and look for that impact tool. $15.00 and it works!? Deal!

[evolutionmovement]

You can always test the T-stat in boiling water. Yeah, the store ones suck.

Steve

[93forestpearl]

Strap wrench worked fine for me when I replaced the back cover. I got it at Ace hardware, but maybe its a regional thing.

[entirelyturbo]

Best thing for future reference is to break the bolts loose before you remove the belt.

Best advice in this whole thread

[91White-T]

BTW,
Wal-Mart sells a $15 cigarette lighter adapter impact rated at 250ft/lbs. While I doubt the rating, I have dismantled 4 complete longblocks and changed my wheels at the track and home countless times with this thing. Best $15 I ever spent on a tool...

Sorry to ressurect this thread, but I looked all over wal-mart for this amazing deal and couldn't find it anywhere. How long ago did you buy this and where was it??

[Matt Monson]

BTW,
Wal-Mart sells a $15 cigarette lighter adapter impact rated at 250ft/lbs. While I doubt the rating, I have dismantled 4 complete longblocks and changed my wheels at the track and home countless times with this thing. Best $15 I ever spent on a tool...

Sorry to ressurect this thread, but I looked all over wal-mart for this amazing deal and couldn't find it anywhere. How long ago did you buy this and where was it??

I bought it about a year ago. Used it again last night to put my goldies on. Sorry, just had to throw that in there. I will check my local Wal Mart and see if they still have them. I could coordinate a group buy if they do.

The torque specs are not adjustable. What I do is start to tighten it with the wrench and pull up short before it locks. Then I hand tighten to spec with a ratchet. I would NEVER trust an impact wrench with my lugs or any other bolt to spec for that matter...

[skid542]

Thanks for the info Matt. I'll check my wal-mart this weekend. I've never really used an impact wrench much, dad didn't have one when I was living at home but I would like to have one to remove lugs and other assorted stubborn bolts. I'm going to be getting a torque wrench soon so all removing and tightening needs should be taken care of then.

[dzx]

Be kind of careful with the torque wrench, its real easy to start breaking those welded nuts free.