Re: Best method for locking the crank

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2015/3/25 14:40:46

But wondering: is a screw-in stop (to the spark plug hole) sufficient enough to lock the crank

Ouch, I'm cringing just at the thought, much less the act! Please DON'T. And anyway the spark plug is over the valves and not the piston. If you don't have an impact gun or enough room to use it (best method), first try putting the car in gear, applying the parking brake as firmly as you can, and chocking the rear wheels. That method was sufficient for me to get the damper on and off my 48 "356" engine some years back. Applysome force and hold it for a time, then relax it for a moment - then again a bit more, relax again, and so on. If it doesn't loosen after that treatment, use a jack or something to keep a constant pressure on the wrench handle overnight.