Finally got to the end of my clutch project...

Tried starting it, but I forgot something. When torqueing down the pressure plate bolts, me and my dad had put a breaker bad on the end of the crankshaft pulley bolt to keep it from turning. Well, I'm guessing you know where this is going...

I heard a LOUD bang while cranking the engine. That's one of two things:

1) Breaker bar hitting the ground (for sure)
2) Valves + Pistons

I immediatly realized what I had done, and ran to the front of the car. It hit with enough force to break the crankshaft bolt loose. I pulled the starter off again, but I don't have a flywheel lock to torque down the bolt. That's where I'm at.

I'm expecting the worse, in which case I don't know what I'll do (besides throw up). God, I can't believe I made such a stupid, stupid mistake. Well, I'm going to go take some peptobismal, and hopefully you guys will give me an idea as to where I stand.

P.S. Is there any other way of locking the flywheel besides the "flywheel lock" tool? I would just run a compression test, but with the bolt loose I can't.
<img border="0" alt="[crying]" title="" src="graemlins/crying.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[crying]" title="" src="graemlins/crying.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[crying]" title="" src="graemlins/crying.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[crying]" title="" src="graemlins/crying.gif" />

 

I am going to guess you are fine and it was just the bar smacking something. Torque the front bolt, finish the clutch you're good to go.
Someone local will have a tool for you to borrow - check with the local PCA.
Good luck!
Steve

 

Hmm, I'm not sure what to say besides to check the timing marks on your flywheel and cam sprocket to see if the engine is still in time. This will give you a quick indication if the crank pulley moved out of time or not. Actually, as you're turning the engine by hand [hope you have another breaker bar] just feel that it spins freely until you reach TDC on the flywheel. Good luck.

 

Don't panic, that's the first thing. Just take a break, torque the front bolt, and then turn the engine over by hand just to make sure everything is fine. Odds are everything's fine.

 

I wonder how many on this board would even tackle a clutch job (10%??)- in a way, you're running with the big dogs. Keep us posted, you'l get there.

 

We should start a "Done a 944 Clutch Club".... I call VP!!!

 

Like others have said...You are probably OK...Good idea to buy or borrow the flywheel lock...Vertex has them for $20.

 

Tried what PorscheG96 suggested, couldn't find TDC on the cam sprocket. Instead, I made a small mark with a paint marker, and turned the engine one full rotation, until it came up again. Everything 'felt' fine, as I cranked it resistance built up, up, up, up, and then dropped off. That's what it should do right? That would be compressing, compressing, compressing, open valve?

Anyway, I've calmed down a little. Still won't be happy till I find out.

PorscheG96, or anybody, what mark should I be looking for on the cam sprocket? I turned slowly and kept my eye on it, but I didn't see anything.

 

Just checked Vertex. According to their site, the tool is a rental, and there's a $20 core charge. Is that right? And if so, is that more of a security deposit?

 

Line up the flywheel "OT" mark with the indicator in the bell housing. Then check the cam to see if it is at TDC. There is a line on the sprocket. If it dosen't line up, you need to check the belt.

 

My post just dissapeared!!

Line up the "OT" mark on the flywheel with the indicator in the top of the bell housing. Then check to see if the line on the cam sprocket is lined up with the indicator in the distributor housing.

 

OK, so it turns over without interference. That's good. Now all you have to do is verify the timing is still OK. Relax. Tomorrow's another day.

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

 

Spooky... post came back!

 

Sorry, didn't see it was a rental...I have one you can borrow but I guess that won't help you much...

Has to be someone, or a place locally, where you can borrow or rent one...Makes the job much easier.

 

I love those scary, agonizing events that make you think you screwed yourself good this time! Real character builders!

There's no reason to assume you did anything to the valves and pistons. If anything, the starter, pinion and ring gear may have took a jolt, but the fact that the crank bolt came loose saved you, no stress after that!

As far as timing and tightening go, here's some tricks you can use.

First take out the spark plugs. Now you can easily rotate the engine by hand without compression. Probably feels pretty smooth with just a little resitance, right?

Next have a friend use a flashlight (or use a poker) to look/probe into the spark plug hole of the no. 1 cylinder while you rotate the engine by hand. When the top of the cylinder is a high as it can go, there a 50% chance this is TDC. The timing mark on the flywheeel should be visible now through the hole in the bell housing. Then look in the observation hole in front of the cam gear for the timing mark. If it's not there, go another full turn on the crank until the cylinder is at the top again. You should see the cam mark at one of these positions. Or you have to reset the belts.

Finally, to lock the engine without a flywheel lock, turn the engine so the no. 1 cylinder is at the bottom of a stroke. Then feed into the spark plug hole all the clothesline it will accept (seemed like 4 feet to me!). And not four 12" pcs, one continuous length! Leave some sticking out (of course) so you can remove it later! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

Now tighten the crank bolt. The cylinder will compress the clothline and lock the engine, all harmless. But remember to remove the clothesline before you try to start it again! ;-)

Everyone needs a flywheel lock if you're gonna do you own work. Try <a href="http://www.ianseuroparts.com/" target="_blank">http://www.ianseuroparts.com/</a> or 1-866-944-STUFF (7883).