Evening,

I'm stripping down a zetec engine and I'm stuck on how to remove one of the pulleys.

It's got 4 8mm bolts holding it but I can't loosen them without the pulley spinning (it's the one above the crank pulley).

Is there a tool I should be using or any tips on how to do this ?

thanks
Paul

i either crack the bolts before i take the aux belt off, or use an oil filter removal tool to hold it still, or failing that, hold one of the bolts with another spanner as you undo the other three, then shock the last one loose with a sharp whack!

^^^Oil Filter Removal Strap or similar to hold the pully whilst you undo it.

you can use the pump belt to hold it just need to grip real tight

May I ask why your stripping the motor down?

Impact wrench...

You need to put a flat bar of some sort between the bolt heads so you can hold the pulley still and then crack all the bolts.

Thanks chaps - I'll give the belt another go and then try an oil filter tool.

coozer - the engine and gearbox are an old nail I picked up from ebay for a tenner for practice. I'm stripping it down as a learning experience before I start my build.

I'm planning on stripping it down and then putting it all back together again with the same parts. I'm hoping to find out all the things I'm not prepared for like this problem I hit last night. Also it'll give me a heads up on what second hand tools I'm likely to need - so far only torx bolt and socket sets in addition to my existing socket set.

Then when I get to my "proper" build I'll be prepared if not expert - I want to do the full "build experience" - strip donor, get everything clean and painted, do engine. As a non-mechanic I think that'll mean I'm more likely to be able to look after it once it's completed.

having said that - I've been looking at the gearbox and it's a bit of pain to take apart without lots of pullers and presses so that I think will either just be a transplant (maybe a lick of paint) or an outsource if box needs it.

Thanks for everyone's help - I'll see how I get on this weekend !!! It's a lot harder than it looks in the engine builders handbook but I suppose that was to be expected for a novice !!!

Paul

Put a bar or long screwdriver across the bolts to holt it while you undo it.

Its the water pump btw.

There is a proper tool for the job although I rarely have to use it .