These are the situations where the value of a skilled and experienced mechanic becomes evident. Not only is that bolt tight, it was originally loc-tited in place. A proper impact wrench will have easily removed it. Sometimes, heat is still helpful to loosen the thread lock compound. Taking a hammer to anything on a crankshaft is just not a good idea. The thrust surface of the case is most likely garbage now. The Bentley shows the proper tools to restrain the pulley when using a big breaker bar. Things should never jammed or wedge against the case like that. If the engine was still installed, using the transmission in gear to hold that much torque is also risky. The case halves are machined as a matched set. You can not replace only one side. Maybe it can be welded and repaired but it probably is not worth it. Look for another engine. Dennis -----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Mike Williams Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2006 2:37 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: cracked right side case...i'm in TROUBLE! (was crank pulley bolt...argh!) and such is life...my luck with vanagons hasn't yet changed. i was working on trying to get the crank pulley bolt off last night...using my gentle persuasion methods (a breaker bar with a pipe over the end of it to give more leverage)...i still couldn't seem to get the bolt off. at the moment i gave up hope, my mothers boyfriend showed up and started hitting the head of the bolt with a sledge-hammer and then when that didn't work he took the sledge to the end of the breaker bar...all the while there was a wrench jammed in the hole on the pulley to keep it from moving. somewhere in the mix...a small chunk of the right side of the case cracked and fell off (the small piece which supports the housing for the front crank seal). i could've cried...but i don't cry...i get pissed. my mothers boyfriend is now trying to convince me that the case can be welded...and i don't know if i should accept this or not. so my question(s) is/are...can these block be welded and still be considered structurally sound...and if not...does anyone in massachusetts or new england have a spare right side case hanging out in thier garage. keep in mind i'm pinching pennies now, because i just spent a fortune in all the parts for my rebuild...anyone have any ideas before i find a cliff and jump? ugh...i hate to say it...but why is it ALWAYS difficult...just once i could use some freedom from failure... thanks for the help... mike __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com |
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