Best Flexplate removal tool

[Daddygo]

This is a request for submissions.  After trying to remove a flywheel to put a flexplate on for a new engine swap ... and bending a mounting stud, I want to tap all of you for your best tool for flexplate removal/installation.  I've tried to locate the Vw original to no avail, so let's see what you've put together.

Pics are appreciated, I'll add a poll when we get some good submissions.

Kevin

[68AutoBug]

Hi,
I'll try to post a pic tomorrow showing how i took My flexplate off.
I had an alloy timing pulley on the crankshaft with round holes in it.
I used a long piece of 90 degree angle iron and bolted it to My alloy pulley
I also used it to replace the flex plate...
this also cracked the pulley but it did last until a new one was bought...
if You are using the original VW pulley, You would have to make something to stop it turning...
Best not to touch the flex plate themselves as they do bend or break very easily.....
If You have another c/s pulley, then you could drill holed in the one on the engine... and attach a long piece of steel..

cheers

Lee Noonan - http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug

[Daddygo]

Lee:

Thanks for the input... so if I understand you correctly: you're modifying the belt pully on the other side of the engine to stop it from turning.  Using an old pulley wheel and modifying it with a cheat bar.  Only correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks!

[68AutoBug]

Yes that is correct...

unfortunately, I used the only pulley I had...
an alloy pulley with timing marks....
and 4 or 5 holes in it.....
making it easy to bolt to a long piece of steel...

cheers

Lee Noonan  -

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug

[Achilles]

Great timing on the post.

Kevin what are you using to undo the flywheel (flex plate) nut?

I am assuming that I must have a way of keeping the crank from turning when I go at this nut.  Correct?

[Daddygo]

I was converting a standard engine setup to the autostick set up I needed.  Bought the engine from Serrano's under the promise that it would come with a flexplate, AT oilpump and vacuum port on the intake manifold... none of which was on the engine when it arrived... but that's another story.

So I had to remove a flywheel with a similar (but not the same gland nut)  I bought a $7 flywheel holding tool from one of the online vendors... they all have it (Aircooled.net product number TZE0006) works great.

Now I'm installing a flexplate that I purchased.  I am installing it using an old crank pulley on the opposite side of the engine that I have bolted a really strong length of metal to... just as Lee has suggested above.  It should work to install or remove the gland nut.

Don't be tempted to use the flexplate to hold the crank while you install or remove the gland nut... it will bend, and then its useless.

Good luck!

[Achilles]

I'm guessing that $7 flywheel tool won't work for flexplate removal.

[Daddygo]

Correct... the flywheel lock only works with the flywheel.  For the flexplate, You will need to use something to lock down the crank... which is why Lee's suggestion works well.  If you lock down the pulley on the other side, it will hold the crank in place while you loosen the gland nut on the other side of the engine.

Don't try to hold the pulley bolt... or you will just over tighten or loosen that bolt.  The pulley has a notched key hole that holds the crankshaft, so you can hold that without tightening the pully bolt.

[Daddygo]

Lee wins!