need advice on removing crankshaft pulley on 81A

[Freoway]

Hi. Have a '36 RHD coupe-ute (Canadian build) with a later 24 stud engine. For some reason it has a timing cover with a 3-bolt Lucas distributor. To fit the original type 2-bolt, I need to replace the timing cover, which I've found means I need to remove the crank pulley. It has the hand crank piece at the front of the pulley. Am I meant to remove this first? Do I use a harmonic balancer puller or similar? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Mart]

I think you will not be able to simply swap a 2 bolt cover and distributor on, unless the cam has been fitted with an extender button to suit the three bolt cover and distributor. The Lucas has the same dimensions as a helmet when it comes to shaft stickout.

The front pulley should be able to be pulled relatively easily. a cheap puller can get a grip on the flange shown, or even a big lever against the crossmember will move it.

You probably don't need to remove it fully, just slide it along a bit. (not 100% sure on that).

If you have the long cam nose you can leave the 3 bolt cover in place and use a 3 bolt to 2 bolt adaptor to space the distributor out. Or if you fit a 2 bolt cover you will need a different spacer to suit the 2 bolt distributor.

I'd pull the Lucas first and investigate if there is a button there. That will guide your next steps.

Mart.

[Freoway]

Thanks Mart. That's a worry. Not sure what an extender button looks like. I have the Lucas out already. Will the button be sitting on the end of the camshaft or on the back of the dizzy? I presume it's obvious. Is it something that was fitted to all flatheads with two bolt distributors?. I started off needing a new distributor cap for my Lucas dizzy, but couldn't locate one anywhere, so a local gent sold me a 2-bolt dizzy and timing cover. Didn't know there would be any other issues.

[KiWinUS]

Yes Mart nailed it. The button just sits between cam & distributor. A tang on one side & slot on other. 3 bolt dizzy uses long nose cam. 2 bolt uses short nose cam. The button is used with short nose cam & 3 bolt timing cover 3 bolt distributor

[deuce_roadster]

That hand crank ratchet is actually a bolt you need to remove before you can move the pulley forward.

[JSeery]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

For use when installing a 1932-41 distributor on a 1942-48 flathead V8. Takes up the space between the camshaft and the distributor.

[Brian]

Why not simply fit a 33-40 'helmet' distributor? Will be a direct bolt on.

[Freoway]

Thanks guys. All came off nice and easy and the button was as described too. As for fitting a helmet distributor - yep - that would be a nice original look, but I wanted to get the old girl up and running asap and someone had a 2-bolt crab dizzy ready to fit. Only issue that I can see now is a tired rope seal on the timing cover. Hopefully I can find something to do the job.

[Wallringo]

probably a stupid question but why is the metal all jagged on the lower pulley? how do you get a socket over it to loosen the nut? thanks

[v8fordman]

Originally Posted by Wallringo

probably a stupid question but why is the metal all jagged on the lower pulley? how do you get a socket over it to loosen the nut? thanks

The ratchet nut will have to be filed in order to get a socket over the outer part if it is mushroomed as it appears. He will also have to have a socket with a thin wall (normally an impact socket will not work because of the thickness) in order to clear the opening in the pulley.