Timing belt change

[Damo]

Hi folks,

I am currently changing the timing belt on my '93 1.6 mx5 and i cannot get the crankshaft pulley bolt undone. I have removed the four small bolts on the pulley that drives to power steering and Alternator and it will not budge. The book says that the outer pulley should come off but the large central bolt seems to have a collar holding on the outer pulley. I cannot remove the large bolt as the brakes are away being sorted so cannot lock the back wheels. Any tips for removal. thanks

[Steve]

Not recommending it <insert disclaimer, you do it at your own risk, etc> but it has worked for me in the past, if you put a socket on a breaker bar, put on crank pulley bolt and wedge the bar against the floor, have everyone stand well back, then you can then use the starter to pop/shock the bolt loose. Google it before doing anything

[franksm]

Yeah, that method works fine but best with one person at the ignition and the other 'minding' the engine bay !

[Steve]

Knew I'd seen you at it somewhere before

http://www.mx5ireland.com/gallery/tech5/pic04.htm

[Damo]

Thanks for that. I had seen it on youtube but as the battery was dead and the car has no wheels (awaiting rebuilt brakes) I decided to remove the starter and lock the flywheel. The car was definitely designed by double jointed little people as the bolts for the started motor are nearly impossible to get at. Once the flywheel as locked I had no problem removing the Crank bolt.
Hopefully I will have the car back on the road by the weekend. I would not advise buying an ex UK car as every nut and bolt was rusted and many of them broke trying to remove them.
Damien

[Fergus]

Yeah best buy a Jap import
Sorry but I only saw this post just now, I have a tool made that bolts onto those 4 bolts which makes it possible to remove that crank bolt with no hassle at all, I would have offered it if I'd seen this post earlier