Thread: harmonic balancer 3400 in a shilhouette

ive had two gtps and two oldsmobile silhouette mini vans and since there probably aren't many silhouette fan sites out there i figured i would just post hear since i've have the gtps....

my 97 olds van has the 3400. i don't know how much it differs from the grand prix 3400s but im working on changing the harmonic balancer. I haven't gotten very far as I cant remove the first bolt since it just turns the crank. i took the cover off the flywheel to see if i could wedge something in there but it is too small. I also tried a wacky thing and tried to rig up a breaker bar and a long wrench to pin the breaker bar from moving while it is on the bolt head and i cranked the engine by turning the key. it just throws the socket off the bolt though. i've been going at this alone and not sure if im going to have any helpers.

can i get this off with an impact without having to keep the crank from turning? and if i can, what about the subsequent bolts the further in i go? i think there are three more behind the pulley based on the youtubes i watched. but those weren't on 3400s and you can't always follow them well without having any working experience on the project at hand. but even if i can, i have a feeling an impact isnt going to be the desired tool for reassembly and so i will again run into the turning crank. but maybe not since the bolts wont be seized up.

If I pull the starter off will i be able to fit something in the flywheel that way?

i'm also curious if you have to drop the subframe on the cars? the write ups on the vans say you have to drop the subframe for clearance. now i think about it i don't think that will be the case but the van is over at my sisters house right now and i cant remember exactly.

anybody have any thoughts? thanks

btw i used the search bar tool and didn't really find what i as looking for. perhaps a different motor's information might help...on the 3800 once you get the first crank bolt are there any more behind it or does it just pull off with a tool? its hard to see what is going on behind the pulley without getting it off. google and youtube aren't really helping beyond the initial bolt unless it is a honda or a toyota or a boat motor.

Never did one, but I feel your frusration. I just wanted to make sure you had this. Hopefully some of the experts will chime in.
http://www.grandprixforums.net/how-r...sor-60906.html
http://www.justanswer.com/pontiac/1s...rand-prix.html

hey, thanks. that second link i think will help. i did not know such a tool existed to hold the fly wheel. now to see if i can find one.......

thanks scotty. i will try tomorrow after work. my dad brought his impact and compressor and it broke that bolt loose instantly. but the specialty tool wasn't adequate to remove the balancer so i had to modify it to make it work. after a few trips to the hardware store...... but i am hitting the same problem in reverse pressing it back on and can't use an impact to bail me out this time.

vice grips and a bunch of torque won't damage the fly wheel? the actual tool to do that costs 40 bucks at the parts store.

Originally Posted by dsmuts

Put a breaker bar on the hb bolt and crank the engine over it'll break it loose.

tried that a couple different ways but it just threw the breaker bar off the bolt each time i cranked. and it made me nervous.....impact got it. thanks man.

success. thanks for the tip scotty! it really surprised me that vice grips could hold that fly wheel--needle nose vice grips no less.