Help! Damper bolt frozen!

[polkat]

I'm trying to loosen the crank damper (1-1/4") bolt to pull the damper off of my 318 poly (same basic setup as 318 LA). I've pulled many before but never faced this. It seems frozen in place. I've tried a big breaker bar, even putting a jack on the end of the bar for more pressure (way more then the torque spec of the bolt). No go. Also tried an electric impact wrench (no air here) without success. I've put so much pressure on it that I'm afraid of hurting the front main bearing!

Anyway, I'm presently soaking behind the bolt with P Blaster, but who knows if it's getting to the threads? Any better ideas out there? Thanks!

 

[HitIt]

You could try heating it up carefully with a torch. That is known to help sometimes. Be careful and have an extinguisher on hand especially since its got flamible penetrating fluid on it.

 

[polkat]

Seems to me that heat on the bolt would expand it, making it even tighter, and there's no way to get heat to the crank surrounding the bolt.

Someone just told me to set the socket and bar on the bolt and wedge the bar against the frame, then crank the engine. I've heard that a few times and let it pass, but....does it work?

 

[1badgtx]

Heat is the answer!!!!

 

[Propwash]

Penetrating Oil/Tap with hammer/Heat it up/Cheater Bar

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

How are you holding the crank so it will not turn???:edgy:

 

[Meep-Meep]

Yes, applying heat to metal expands it but it's movement nonetheless and will ultimately help. My guess is it's frozen under the head and not at the threads. This is usually harder because it's stuck at the larger diameter and requires more torque to break it loose. Cranking the engine is a good trick so long as the breaker bar doesn't slip and go through the radiator or something. I have removed many stuck bolts using the giant chisel and BFH method but only if you can get good contact and a good swing. Position the chisel on the flat of the bolt slightly angled toward the loosen direction and hit it hard! Yes, you will need a new bolt after that's done.