Hi All,
So I finally found a solution for a manual engine crankshaft rotator (for maintenance, etc) and thought I'd get back to the forum and post what I found. My issue to recap was I had an engine in a 1950 truck already but the harmonic balancer input "slot" was damaged, so could not turn the engine manually the "usual" way. Someone suggested screwing 2 bolts in the 3/8 -16 in the balancer and using a pry bar or similar to turn the engine. Knowing me, that would have resulted in a trip to a Urgent Care Clinic, so I looked for (and found) a better solution. The solution I found was a Preform Crankshaft Rotation Adapter (66782) that has a 1" nut on the front for turning, available from numerous online stores for around $25. Making a paper template I found using 2 holes had close to the right separation and would have worked fine I think; however I did a little Dremel tool shaving to make a perfect fit.
The solution worked great. The adapter was skinny enough that I had little problem getting a breaker bar ratchet from Harbor Freight (ICON with flex head) on it. Turning was easy at this point.
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions, which ultimately lead down this path and the ability to run the tests I needed to. Seems I have a head that needs some machine work... but that's another thread :-).
Joe
