removing the front cover on a '54 hemi

I am having difficulty removing the front cover off of my '54 331. It is a a complete cast piece including water pump and timing cover. I have removed all the bolts, the crank pulley and balancer. I have not been able to remove the end of the crank that the pulley and balancer mounted too. Is this pressed on? I mangled my puller trying to remove it. Any help is appreciated.

 

Scooter, should know this one.

 

Many that I have removed were stuck from rust and gundge, so a good puller is advised . Make sure the center bolt is removed , shoot a bunch of PB blaster inside and pull away . Usually they come right off after you break loose the crud holding it.

 

With the center bolt out what does the puller actually push against?

 

OK , remove the center bolt and big thick washer , re-install bolt without big thick washer and pull away OR get a good puller that has a swivel bearing point on it .

 

Don't forget to remove the one bolt underneath/behind the water pump (water pump must be removed from timing cover before timing cover is removed from block).

Anyone got an extra 51-54 timing cover??? I think it will fit my marine block.

 

there are a few little odds and ends with that front cover, first being the hidden bolts behind it coming from the block forward, I can't remember off-hand if it was just one or two...second being, did you remove the mount for the balancer on the crankshaft?

the '51-'54 front cover should fit on your industrial, but it's so friggin heavy why would you WANT to use it?...just use a marine cover or 392 cover and switch to a 392 pump or electric pump...

 

Hard to know without being on the scene, but it sounds like you've got a couple bolts still to come out. Even a ****py puller should at least budge it a little... Might be corroded pretty good at the ports to add to the fun. Maybe a deadblow mallet will help persuade things a bit when the bolts and everything keeping it to the block have been removed.

man-a-fre, you give me too much credit! I wish I had all the answers!

 

god, I'm trying to think back on this one, because I ran into the same problem...I think I had found all of the bolts and it was just the balancer adapter that needed to come off...I wish my memory worked, but I'm pretty sure that's what held me up in removing mine...

 

I'll try to remember to look in the manual I have at home. I think it shows an exploded view AND I think I just may have it scanned already (thanks to another HAMBer who was cool enough to help me with the pages!).

 

There is a bolt inside the water jacket, its behind the water pump. You gotta take out the pump to get to the bolt. And that flange on the crank is pressed on, you gotta get a good puller on it. David

 

I had to heat mine and when it finally released it popped off at least ten feet. it was a *****

 

I remembered the water pump bolt, but forgot to mention it (***umed the water pump was already dis***embled like mine was)...thanks for the reminder Dave...

 

sweet, I should be able to get that ****er off now.

 

Need to know what you ended up doing on this. I'm at EXACTLY the same place! Bent one puller. Haven't tried heat yet, but would like to hear more results. Don't have gas for my torch right now... am I screwed?

BTTT.... need some input ASAP! Thanks guys!

 

Have this page from a text book. Item #25 (on the right page) vaguely tells how to get it off and references the tool to do it. Does anyone have a picture (or a better picture anyway) of the tool they could post? Is there something comparable that I can get from AutoZone or something?

 

Anyone?

 

i bent a goodpuller trying to get that hub off a 354 way back in 1972 or so,that ****er was tight. my dad got it off somehow..
randy

 

desotos (and id bet the dodges) were the same way. on my 291 i wound up slicing with a hacksaw blade a really fine edge down to the shaft, but not all the way through. then at the "flange" i split it a little bit wide with a cold chisel. it fell off then.
i wasnt really worried about saving it after cussing it for three hours. but i also have the luxury of being able to make a new one at the shop if need be.

 

Slicing it to release it, may just be the trick. Destructive, but may be my only option. Killed one puller and heat hasn't helped too much.

Do new harmonic balancers need this mount or are they integrated?

 

Your new-style small block mopar dampers are one piece. You don't need the flange part to put one of those on there.

 

Cutting that flange off is sounding better and better!

 

Thought I'd try again...

 

I may be getting rid of the cover I have. Not sure if I'm going to get rid of it for sure. If I do, would you be interested? Let me know.

Scooter

 

Yep, I'd be interested. PM me if you decide to get rid of it. I need one.

 

I'd make a bad*** low-buck puller like the one I have.

Get yourself a big fine-threaded bolt and nut (mine is 3/4-16). Get a thick piece of steel plate (~3/8 or 1/2" thick) about 6" square and drill a 3/4" hole in the center. Put the nut over the hole (use the bolt through the nut to align it) and weld it on there to stay. Now drill the bolt pattern of whatever you want to pull off (in this case the 5/16" holes of the crankshaft damper flange). My puller has several bolt patterns drilled in it from various jobs and room for lots more.

In your situation, I would put the original flange retaining bolt (but without the washer so the flange will slide over it) back into the crank several turns to ensure good thread engagement. Bottom it out if you wish. Then bolt your superpuller down over the flange retaining bolt. Put a dab of grease on the end of the puller bolt and run it in. Tighten the bolt and use the nut of the puller to keep everything from turning. You will get that flange off. I have pulled marine hemi flanges off, and they make the automotive version seem like a slip-fit...

 

Good advice. I just may do that. I think I can get some 1/2 or 3/8 plate from work.

I'll let you know about the cover. What's your time frame on that?

 

Flexible. I'm still collecting the parts I know I need...

 

I'm in the same boat. I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with an SBC conversion, so once it's off I'll make a decision and let you know. Looks to be in good condition and when I pulled the impeller out it looked to be in great shape, so the rest is probably good for rebuild.

 

not braggin but got mine apart with no problems look it over and add kroil to the crank.my.02.