[alfa] crank locking tool

[AlfaNeely@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 9/14/2003 8:15:02 PM Central Daylight Time, 
owner-alfa-digest@domain.elided writes:

> Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 19:23:07 EDT
> From: TJCallahan@domain.elided
> Subject: [alfa] Re: crank locking tool
> 
> In a message dated 9/14/03 9:16:41 AM Pacific Daylight Time, Jason writes:
> 
> > As said before, rope.  Clean rope put in through the spark plug hole on 
> the 
> > compression stroke so as not to bend a valve.
> <snip>
> >Can anyone point out a deficiency with this approach?  I was surprised not 
> > to have been chastised for it yet...
> 
> Jason,
> 
> As the one who asked about the crank tool in the first place, I thought I'd 
> respond here. I'm still getting good suggestions from people, so I haven't 
> responded to anyone until now. Thanks for all the suggestions to date. I'll 
> post a 
> summary in a day or so.
> 
> The rope idea is certainly attractive to me, the 'clean' part you mentioned 
> in this post is my biggest concern, so far. I've mentally gone through what, 
> if 
> anything, that could be damaged by the rope method and can't think of much. 
> The only fear I have is leaving something terrible in the cylinder when 
> finished.
> 
> I, too, would like to hear some discussion of this method. Thoughts, anyone?
> 
> Tom
> Seattle
> 

       The rope trick is trick.  The local Alfa mechanic first suggested it 
to me.  It works great if the cylinder head is in place.  I use it to break 
loose the harmonic balancer on the front of the crankshaft.  You can also use 
that trick to hold the valves closed should you wish to replace the valve springs 
or the valve seals without removing the head.
       The only caution is to make sure the engine is on the compression 
stroke so both valves are closed.  Pull the valve cover and make sure the cam 
lobes for that cylinder point away from each other if you are not sure.
       And make sure the rope has not been laying around collecting dirt that 
will get in your engine.  Go buy some polyester ski rope - it is cheap and 
new is clean.
  
Ciao,
Russ Neely
Oklahoma City
--
to be removed from alfa, see /bin/digest-subs.cgi
or email "unsubscribe alfa" to majordomo@domain.elided