selkirk

Hi guys,

I'm about to tackle the timing belt job on my '98 LS400. Have the manuals, have the parts, have a good set of tools but what I don't have is superhuman strength! I have a good impact wrench and can hold the crank pulley with a chain wrench (which is how I ended up getting the crankshaft bolt out the last time I did a timing belt - car was an '87 Maxima) ... so I'm not worried about getting the bolt out.

Getting the bolt back IN, though, is another story. I've had the following ideas about how to achieve 180ft-lbs.

1. Impact wrench (but this could be 180, or 350, or who knows... couldn't that damage the crank?)
2. 3 foot breaker bar + 60 pounds of force
3. Torque multiplier (but wow, expensive... and can I assume that I'm actually getting 180ft-lbs if I set my torque wrench to 45ft-lbs and use a 4:1 torque multiplier?)
4. Set a foot long torque wrench to 180ft-lbs, pick up 60 pounds of weights (I'm 120lb, so that's 180lbs total), and stand on the end of the wrench.

Suggestions?

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Go to Home depot and 'buy' a 250ftlb torque wrench. It should be long enough that you can apply your own weight to achieve 180ftlb without much effort. Then when you're done and decide you don't need to keep the torque wrench, 'return' it.

Most torque wrench will be longer than 1 foot anyways.

Och

iTrader: (3)

Well its not applying the pressure that the problem its keeping the crank from spinning while you're doing it, thats the problem.

Keep in mind, your engine is interference, so holding the crank pulley with chain wrench is not a good idea, one slip and your buying 32 valves.

vwynn

iTrader: (4)

hmm so whats the best way to break the bolt loose?

When we (my mechanic uncle) di my SC400.. i think he pulled the ignition fuse.. put the breaker bar on the crank bolt and turned the car on for a split second. is that safe n propper??

trdtrung

around what year did lexus start making non interference motors?

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

The timing belt isn't connected to the crank pulley so even if the crank was spun, nothing would really happen other than the cam gears rotating with it (like it should). The crank pulley drives the accessories and such while the timing gear drives the timing belt.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

That's the starter method. I've successfully did that to my former acura legend without a problem. Didn't need to pull a fuse since I turned off the engine within a split second of turning it on.

It'd be nice if you had a tool to hold the crank. Not sure if autozone rents one out. Have the crank held and try using an impact gun first. If that doesn't work, breaker bar + cheater may work. Just don't try this method with a 3/8" breaker bar