checkmate1996

I am reinstalling the crank gear and after much cleaning on the crank shaft and inside the gear, it's still very, very tight and doesn't want to slide nicely back. I've checked the level of the woodruff key and that looks good. I've had a suggestion of heating the gear up and sliding it over. Thoughts?? Any other suggestions... (btw it was very diffcult to get off as well)

Thanks!

jeff spahn

Heat the gear to 350 then it will slide right on.

Wisconsin Joe

^This.

It's standard procedure for the gear on a small-block Chevy.

Edit to add: Put a sheet of tinfoil on the pan you use to heat it up. The heating will 'loosen' up the oils on the new gear and they will flow onto the pan you are using.
Take a guess at how I know this.

checkmate1996

You guys rock!! Thanks!

sendarius

My guess is that you used the kitchen oven to heat the gear, and your wife told you about the spilled oil, and told you, and told you, and told you ...

That's what MY wife did.

On the upside, I am banned from ever cooking anything in the oven.

Now I am working on how I can get banned from mowing the yard.

Wisconsin Joe

Close, but not quite.

I was messing around with SBCs when I was a lot younger & living with my folks.
I used one of my mom's cookie sheets, so the oil just dripped on that. The oven was fine and a cleaning cycle took care of any fumes & odors.

Not banned from using the oven, just had to replace the cookie sheet, and now had 'my own' to use for parts.

skpyle

Brad, glad you got it!

Wisconsin Joe...Yep, there are photos on here of the torque converter cover for the Red Witch in our oven that my wife need never see...

sendarius

Has your mother ever let you forget it?

Wisconsin Joe

Absolutely.

It was just a cookie sheet. She was cool once I replaced it.

She didn't play those kind of games.

dr bob

Big Lots sells a Black & Decker countertop toaster oven for about $30. Cheap marriage insurance, in my limited experience.

Wisconsin Joe

You can usually find them at thrift stores for a few bucks.
Helpful hint: Plug them in & turn them on in the store to make sure they work.

Kevin in Atlanta

I used a hot plate.

GregBBRD

350 degrees is a bit of overkill for that gear...it barely needs to be warmed up to slide right on...it's not a press fit, but a zero clearance fit.

Make sure you lightly oil the crank and the inside of the gear, so the gear doesn't rust onto the crankshaft....they are a buger to get off, when that occurs.

.

checkmate1996

All - happy to report I used the toaster oven, small cookie tray, foil and heated to 350 for 20 minutes and voila! No issues with the wife!!! ;-P Other than that, the gear slipped right on like Cinderella's slipper!

I appreciate it everyone!