grumpyvette Posted June 4, 2003 Share Posted June 4, 2003 RARELY DO I FEEL LIKE CRYING, but I got a question asked... "is it ok to use a large hammer and block of wood to beat the damper back onto the crank when doing a cam swap" that question gets me that frustrated heres the basic installation tool look at the picture carefully, the tool is available from several sources http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=3324&prmenbr=361 heres how to use it... the small 7/16 thread ,on the tool threads into the crank, the damper slips over the tool, the large washer style bearing slips over the tool followed by the solid washer followed by the large nut that threads on the tool, the back of the tool is normally a 9/16 or 5/8 hex this is held with a box end wrench to keep the engine from turning, the large nut is usually a 1 1/8" nut and it is tightened with an open end 1 1/8" wrench or a adjustable wrench against the two washers drawing the damper onto the crank snout! lube the threads on the tool, the inside of the damper and crank snout with oil before starting. the damper will normally slide on about 1/4 of the way bye hand then the tool is needed to draw the damper on the last 3/4 of the distance, don,t over tighten the tool the 7/16" thread will snap off in the crank after the damper bottoms out on the lower timing gear if you do!, NEVER USE A HAMMER AND BLOCK OF WOOD TO DRIVE THE DAMPER ON, YES THOUSANDS OF GUYS THINK THEY DID IT WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS BUT... IT WILL DAMAGE THE THRUST BEARING CLEARANCES, IT CAN BREAK THE ELASTOMER TORSION RING ON STOCK DAMPERS IT CAN CAUSE THE INERTIAL RING ON FLUIDAMPER TO BECOME JAMMED INTERNALLY IT CAN CAUSE THE DAMPER TO FAIL. IF THE DAMPER FAILS THE CRANK WILL EVENTUALLY BE DAMMAGED IT GREATLY STRESSES THE CRANK SHAFT IT CAN DAMAGE THE CRANKS TRANSMISSION PILOT BEARING IT CAN DAMAGE THE TRANSMISSION ALMOST EVERY TYPE OF DAMAGE IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOWS UP RIGHT AWAY, BUT IT WILL DAMAGE THE PARTS LISTED AND THERES THOUSANDS OF GUYS THAT ARE WONDERING WHY THOSE PARTS FAILED 6-24 MONTHs LATER WITH NO CLUE AS TO THE CAUSE! ASK YOURSELF THIS QUESTION, IF CRANKSHAFTS THAT ARE A FEW THOUSANDS OUT OF LINE I.E. NOT PERFECTLY STRAIT ARE BENT/STRAITEND WITH A LEAD HAMMER BY CRANK MANUFACTURES (and yes thats how its done) AND CRANKS THAT ARE DROPPED ON A CONCRETE FLoor SOMETIMES BEND SLIGHTLY ,(happends all the time) WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THAT BEATING ON THEM WITH A HAMMER AND A BLOCK OF WOOD WONT DAMMAGE THEM? AND WHILE WERE AT IT WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO SOME GUY YOU CAUGHT BEATING ON YOUR ENGINE BLOCK WITH A HAMMER? WELL WHAT DO YOU THINK THE CRANKS DOING TO YOUR MAIN CAPS WHEN YOU BEAT ON THE CRANK? PROPERLY USED THAT INSTALLATION TOOL CAN EXCERT OVER 15 TONS OF PRESSURE TO SLIDE THE DAMPER ON, IF IT WONT SLIDE ON, THERES A PROBLEM! FIND IT AND FIX IT .....DON,T BEAT ON THE DAMPER/CRANK ...........if your cranks not threaded GET IT THREADED next time the cranks out, in the mean time pack the crank snout in dry ice and the damper in boiling water.....once both at at the correct temp. spray the inside surface of the damper with LIQUID WRENCH and using pot holders, to prevent burns slide it quickly onto the crank snout before the temp differance equalizes, and yes it may take a few wacks with a plastic hammer but genrally it slides on easily UNTILL the temp differance equalizes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Your Car is Slow Posted June 4, 2003 Share Posted June 4, 2003 Interesting theory. I personally used a rubber mallet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Juday Posted June 4, 2003 Share Posted June 4, 2003 Thanks Grumpy. Your insight is always, well almost always (see above ), appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Your Car is Slow Posted June 4, 2003 Share Posted June 4, 2003 I never said it wasnt appreciated....just an interesting way of looking at things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David K Posted June 4, 2003 Share Posted June 4, 2003 Thats a sweet tool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest silverbullet Posted June 4, 2003 Share Posted June 4, 2003 Interesting info. and explanation/warning, once again thanks Grump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted June 4, 2003 Share Posted June 4, 2003 Here, Let me help Grumpy! Basic tool kit for first car. TOOLS: 1. Hammer. 2. Pliers. 3. Screwdriver. 4. Tire Tool. 5. Pipe Wrench. 6. Wooden Block. SPECIAL TOOLS: 1. Cresent Wrench. 2. 9/16 x 1/2 Open End. 3. Chizel. 4. Bigger Hammer. 5. Chain. 6. Oil Can. 7.Bigger Wooden Blocks. SUPPLY'S: 1. Rags. 2, Oil. 3. Bulldog Tape. 4. Bailing Wire. 5. Band aids. 6. Methiolate. 7. Phone Book. DID I MISS ANYTHING?.....LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyvette Posted June 4, 2003 Author Share Posted June 4, 2003 SPIIRIT you left some tools out of your redneck tool box how can you get by without.... duct tape an acetolene torch PB, blaster spray and a 6 foot pry bar a hi-lift jack and a 45 colt pistol for drilling holes and old car rims for jack stands and a milk crate for sitting on! don,t forget the first aid kit super glue for sealling cuts on your hands and a qt of wild turkey to take away the pain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted June 5, 2003 Share Posted June 5, 2003 Ha Ha Grump; Ah!.....Memories!..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Aaron Posted June 6, 2003 Share Posted June 6, 2003 Grumpy, I know this from my own two eyes. 1st, you don't need a jack, you just park over a ditch; 2nd, PB Blaster? thats what vice grips, torchs, and chisels are for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pop N Wood Posted June 6, 2003 Share Posted June 6, 2003 Wild Turkey!! Someone has more money than me. You can get two 1.75 Litre bottles of Black Velvet for the price of a quart of Wild Turkey. Plus the BV comes in a non-breakable plastic bottle. Now that is shop safety. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyvette Posted June 6, 2003 Author Share Posted June 6, 2003 for medical purposes only (LIKE WHEN YOUR SICK OF LOOKING AT THE DAMN VETTE FOR THE EVENING!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cygnusx1 Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 Why isn't this a STICKY? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaleMX Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 Why isn't this a STICKY? Maybe because it's common knowledge. My mother taught me that, didn't your's? Hey, don't you be talking about my mama like that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cygnusx1 Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 You are very optimistic. I thought the hammer was common knowlegde...the peice of wood, optional! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaleMX Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 Just kidding! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v80z Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 Oh well sign me up for the dummy club. Just following my "How to Rebuild Your Small Block Chevy Book" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbk240z Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 Who needs special tools, hammers, or wooden blocks? I always use the big ole' rock I have for a doorstop. It works well, only dings the metal a little, gotta watch the fingers though. Seriously, most people have used the hammer/block method, but these days the tools are cheap enough to buy. You can also rent the tool at your local Autozone. A friend of mine even made one from a couple of old balancer bolts. Put the hammer/block down.................lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LS2 V8 Miata Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 I just dropped into check out this thread 'cause of the SCCAAARRY TITLE - Later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.