The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Something to turn the crankshaft to adjust the valves

Hello,
what do you use to turn the pulley on the crankshaft to adjust the valves? It's a Chevy 3600 with 235 cui engine.
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Wolfgang

Original Hand Crank.
I also fabricated a small tool that fits it and welded a 1/2" socket on end.
***Is yours held on by a bolt or original style pressed on?

Hello, can you show me a picture of your tool?
Wolfgang

Here are some flywheel turning tools.

I think that not all stovebolt engines have bolts holding the harmonic balancer unto the crankshaft?

That one that Tim posted would need access to the flywheel ring gear teeth. Not the most convenient way to hand turn an engine.
On a stovebolt engine that had a crank, take a cheapo 1/2" extension and drill a 1/4" hole thru the square end and drive a piece of 1/4" steel rod thru so it's sticking out about 1/4" or so on either side. The 1/4" rod will engage the balancer where the original crank did. You may have to tack weld the rod in place on the end of the extension. You need a bit of the extension sticking out the end to center it in the balancer. I was going to take a picture of the end of my original crank, but it's buried behind a bunch of other stuff in the garage.

If the spark plugs are out, you should be able to turn the engine with the fan blades as long as the belt is snug.

I can move mine with the fan blade as described by Kevin

I also move mine with the fan blade. For me, I need to push down on the fan belt with the right hand, just a bit to tighten it up. Then I pull up on the blade with the left hand to turn the engine.

You can also put a socket & ratchet on the generator (or alternator) drive nut, easier if you remove the spark plugs.

The way I did mine, was to first pull the plugs. Why fight compression!
Then I used a 1” drive on a breaker bar to rotate the harmonic balancer in where the hand crank would go.
Jim

If you've got room in your shop to roll the wheels 1/2 turn, just put the transmission in high gear, remove the spark plugs, and gently roll the vehicle forward as you adjust the valves. With a little practice watching the rocker arms move, you can adjust all the valve clearances accurately with two turns of the engine.
Jerry

** I use a strap wrench that has a pretty heavy nylon strap {not a chain} and just wrap it around the harmonic balancer with fan belt & spark plugs removed you can rotate the engine at will.

The harmonic balance has 2 bolt holes in it. Screw in 2 long bolts and take a pry bar between the bolts to rotate it.

On the later model balancers that don't have hand crank lugs, a 3/4" square drive ratchet or a 1/2"-3/4" drive adapter on a 1/2" ratchet will engage the balancer enough to turn the engine. The front of the balancer has a squared-off hole that is just the right size for a 3/4" drive.
Jerry

Ok, thank you for your answers.

Never bothered to get my crankshafts machined to accept a bolt so I generally use the one hand on the belt-one hand on the fan method. However before I broke in my rings, and on days when I am feeling particularly lazy I just cheat and use a remote starter switch to jump the solenoid and bump it over. You may still have to do the last little bit by hand but saves you most of the grunt work! Also keep in mind you will be putting a lot of amps through your starter in rapid succession so if its on its last leg proceed with caution...

Can I hide and watch when you bump the solenoid on a foot-pedal starter? That should be interesting!
Jerry

Pull the plugs and you could probly turn it by the fan or belt with your hand.

I'm currently prepping a 235 for an engine swap. I looked through my old tool bucket and found a 1/2 inch drive 3/4 inch socket that was a good fit inside the front of the harmonic balancer. I used a dremel wheel to cut a lengthwise groove on the outside of the socket and welded a piece of 3/16 key stock in the groove. After a little work with a file the improvised tool works great. Once the engine is installed I can use a long 1/2 inch drive extension to access the harmonic balancer through the old hand crank access in the front grill.