I tried searching, couldn't get any answers... so here I go.

I'm trying to figure out the easiest way to replace the front main seal in my FJ62. I'm gonna do the cam gear cover seal at the same time, and the oil pan, and the valve cover, and the push rod cover, and... oh I digress. Damn I hate leaks.

The question I have is with the crank bolt. I have a shiny new 1-13/16" socket from Sears, and a big breaker bar. Fan shroud is out now. I figure I can get it loose with the "starter bump" trick, but I haven't figured out how to get it tight again. The manual says 253 ft-lbs. :eek: I can "borrow" a torque wrench that goes that high from AutoZone, but how to keep the engine from spinning with an auto tranny? My big impact wrench won't fit in there. Has anybody tried making a tool like they show in the manual that you bolt to the pulley, using the PS pulley bolts? I might try this.

Thanks...

Originally posted by KLF
but how to keep the engine from spinning with an auto tranny?

There is a tool that engages the teeth on the flex plate. If you have the pan off, just wedge a piece of 2x4 in the between the rod journal and the crank case. You can also bolt a piece of angle stock to the flex plate using a couple of the torque converter bolts or just wedge a piece of angle stock into the ring gear teeth. If you weigh 170 lbs and have an 18 inch breaker bar, then this gives 255 ft lbs when you are hanging off the end of it.

My bet is that oil leaks won't bother you so much after finishing this job. I usually put up with them until something more serious happens and you need to get in there anyway.