dodge 3.9L van question

:lol: ya i know wrong forum right?! well the dodge guys wont answer me this one... got a motor in the van im workin on, top ends off and im changing out the timing chain but i cant get the balancer off b/c its torqed to 130...dont have an impact... and the engine keeps turning. buddy o mine told me to stick a length of nylon rope in the cylinder and bolt a head on temporarily...says it wont hurt it... ive got 700 dollars worth of parts for this van id hate to see go to waste b/c i cracked a piston, fouled a bearing...whatever, and said screw it :lol: suggestions? comments? think the nylons worth a shot?

 

I was hoping you hadn't removed the head yet, oh well, you can still slap it back in place. I have used the nylon rope method several times now with no ill effect. By the same design, you could place wooden blocks down the cylinder as well before putting the head back in place. Or you could have a buddy with a very long screwdriver (oops, I meant prybar) wedge the teeth on the flywheel, but that assumes you have willing help. Just a quick note, use clean nylon if you are intent on not pulling the pistons. Best of luck to you.

 

Just a suggestion, can you depending on which the engine spins place your wrench on the nut them bump the engine? The wrench of course would have to be wedged against the ground or frame work. I would research this before trying or get some input from other hear. You might be able to get a mobile road service company to come out with air tools as well. Other than that, eat more Wheaties!

 

I've used the bump method before as well. It works so long as the starter and battery are sound. I would not suggest it on a motor that is torn apart unless you have left the pan in place and there is oil to pump into the motor. Another lesson is make sure that someone has a foot or a hand steadying the wrench, once mine decided to launch itself across the garage. Wrap the handle in rags or rubber sheet and do not put yourself or your hands in the direction of the tension, just keep it in place.

 

:lol: i think ill go with the nylon method, the guy who suggested it was a mazda mechanic for 15 yrs, between him and you rob i think ive got a ringin endorsement.... and enuf money to finance a new piston ... alas not enuf time today to try her out.... ill let ya know how she goes!

thanks fer savin my butt again
mike

 

Funny, I used the rope trick on my Mazda, wonder if it is intrensic?

 

Stop being so cheap and buy an impact wrench!

 

Good advice. The amound of time you save on other jobs will pay for the wrench and compressor in no time. I thank my lucky stars everytime I have to pull wheels to change brakes on Mrs. MiCarl's SUV (she believes in always driving with her foot fully on one of the pedals). Nothing like being able to bang out a brake job in 30 mins.

I think about all the time my dad wasted because he was too cheap to buy the necessary tools. Also, he probably broke more $ of the wrong tools than he would have spent on the right ones.

If you aboslutely cannot afford them, then rent one for a few hours.

BTW, do not block the piston by sticking a screwdriver in the spark plug hole. I got lucky, just ended up with a curved screwdriver :wink:

 

Sound advice, no screwdrivers. I would be afraid of buggering up the spark plug threads. I love my electric impact but sometimes it can be impractical because of the lenght of the tool. I would have had to drain the radiator and pull it in order to use the impact on my Mazda, a pain really. But your point of time spent verses time wasted is well taken. I would agree the investment ($40 Harbor Freight) is well worth it.

 

changed