So today I was removing and reinstalling my harmonic balancer (had to take it off to fix something else) and I used a harmonic balancer puller to remove it, rented the tool from a near by auto parts store. When I went to reinstall the balancer it appears that I damaged my first thread on the crankshaft. I don't know how it happened, but maybe I used the tool incorrectly--it occurred to me that maybe I should have some kind of washer or spacer between the end of the puller and the crankshaft.
But anyhow, now I can't thread the large crankshaft bolt in, the one that holds the balancer to the shaft. I can't get it started on the crank, though I can see plenty of good threads left.
I don't want to make this any worse. I thought about getting the correct tap for the threads and just cleaning up the first thread or two on the crankshaft. Would this work? I just need it cleaned up so I can thread the bolt in straight--the crankshaft does not need all the threads recut.
Anything else I should do? I know this is the death blow to an engine, I don't want to do more damage. I also saw a tool called a "thread restorer" at Sears, sortof a more mild version of a tap. Should I use this isntead?
Oh, last, the threads on a 302 harmonic balancer bolt are 5/8" 18, right?
But anyhow, now I can't thread the large crankshaft bolt in, the one that holds the balancer to the shaft. I can't get it started on the crank, though I can see plenty of good threads left.
I don't want to make this any worse. I thought about getting the correct tap for the threads and just cleaning up the first thread or two on the crankshaft. Would this work? I just need it cleaned up so I can thread the bolt in straight--the crankshaft does not need all the threads recut.
Anything else I should do? I know this is the death blow to an engine, I don't want to do more damage. I also saw a tool called a "thread restorer" at Sears, sortof a more mild version of a tap. Should I use this isntead?
Oh, last, the threads on a 302 harmonic balancer bolt are 5/8" 18, right?