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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Crankshaft pulley removal

Hi

I am contemplating removing and replacing my crankshaft pulley on my 948cc MkII Sprite with a dynamo. Any tips please?

I am guessing I need to use a puller and remove the radiator.

Reason for removal - bent pulley (previous owner probably dropping the engine on removal/refitting) causing the fan belt to jump. I have roughly straigtened the pulley with tyre levers but have now located a replacement.

Cheers
Mike
M Wood

Another thing you'll need to do is raise the engine for the pulley to clear the crossmember. You may not need a puller. The existing pulley might be a snug fit but you should be able to pry it off with some gentle persuasion. I think that the hardest part will be getting the nut off. Once you raise the engine you should be able to get an impact wrench in there. If you don't have access to one you'll have to keep the crankshaft from turning while you break the nut loose. And the same with reinstalling it.

Good luck.
Martin

You can turn the engine over on the starter to break the nut loose after positioning a suitable socket and bar on the nut.
S G Macfarlane

I've never been brave enough to try that!
Greybeard

I have done it Greybeard. I took the plugs out so there was no chance of the engine firing up - which could be a bit too exciting! In the event it was remakably subdued, just a clonk and the nut was loosened. I wasn't using a socket though, but a large offset ring spanner which I tied to the chassis rail for safety. Though probably didn't need to do so
GuyW

Done that a few times- AND- once too often
It's ok on these engines but I had an auto VW golf to get the pulley off and it all turned to crap
Got the socket on the bolt and turned the crank round till it was all nice and jammed up against the rail, gave the key the slightest twist just to try if the socket was going to sit in place and yep, you guessed it the F'ing thing started instantly and by the time I could turn the key back it was too late---the front pulley and cam belt sprocket on these have no keyway as such just pimples that line up with indents on their flat mating surfaces
So this straight forward crank seal replacement turned into a cyl.head off job replacing bent valves----and a very red face
Funny bit was, being all worried that I had to tell the guy that owned the car that he wouldn't get it back that day, but after telling him he was happy because he was getting a free head reco job---hard to read what the response is going to be when you break happy news to people
Moral of the story --don't do it to VWs
willy
William Revit

I lock the crankshaft with a rope.

Flip Brühl

This thread was discussed between 08/05/2019 and 10/05/2019

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