How do you guys tighten the crank bolt on an automatic? i tighten it a little but i don' think its tight enough. its not going to fall off right?

Make sure you have the correct torque on it should be 116 ft-lbs on a 22R. IDK about about an automatic, maybe put it in park and hope that the park pawl holds everything still? IDK crap about autos so, not sure if this is even possible...IIRC the reason why these bolts are so damn tight when ya take 'em off is because as the crank rotates, it actually tightenes the bolt, again don't quote me on that, and either way definintaly DON'T rely on that to get the proper torque on the bolt. Maybe the torque converter would provide enough resistance to be able to tighten it.

I have seen pics of someone using a chain whench with a rag to protect the pully.This probably makes it a 2 man job.

You need to buy or make a counter holding bar, so you can hold the crankshaft in place while you tighten the bolt.

You can make one like this , cost me less than $3. You could also go to a wrecking yard pull the A/C pulley and weld a bar to it, having a shop weld them together should be rather cheap, less than the $75 the bar costs through a parts store(if you can find them) You then bolt the bar to the crankshaft pulley, set the end of the bar against the frame and tighten the crankshaft bolt.


Yes, the engine vibration could cause it to back out and fall off.

Jam up the serpentine belt with a screwdriver in a pulley. It'll let you get enough torque on the nut.

Yeah I've seen them come loose too. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />

Never had a problem tightening, but when it came to loosening (with the engine removed), used a beveled piece of wood jammed against the belt & pulley. It held enough to loosen: should hold enough to tighten. Good luck.