i'm trying to change the waterpump on my 91 civic hatchback, but i can't for the life of me break the crank bolt... my compressor/air wrench is 120psi and that won't do it, i tried a long extension/breaker bar but that wouldn't do it either... it does come off counter-clockwise, right? anyone have any suggestions?

 

Try using a really strong screw driver, and jam it into the crank pully, to prevent it from spinning. Be careful though. With your air ratchet...you should be able to get it off. That's how I did mine. It's a pain in the ass without a lift, because you can't get a good grip with the breaker bar.

 

Get a better Impact. Mine came off fine using my Craftsman 600ft-lbs Impact and a 3/8'' air hose.

Air hose is the key, it feeds your tools, and if it is too small they will choke. I moved up and got an even bigger 1/2'' one and my wrench can take off anything now.

 

I've heard of folks using the starter to break the bolt. Put a breaker bar on the bolt, with the handle resting on the ground. Then bump the starter until it comes loose. -scott '85-6 Si

 

To break mine, I had the front tires on the deck, car in 5th gear with a friend holding the brake. I broke it with a standard breaker bar, no problem.

 

is the bolt standard or reverse threaded?

 

standard and a good 600 lb impact wrench will do the trick, my little 250 lb torque one just knocked at all all day, wd40 helps for a good soak also, if ur gonna use a torque wrench and long extension simply drop an old peice of vbelt down into the cylinder thru the spark plug hole and then compress the cylinder and itll stop the crank pulley's rotation, ive done that on a few cars that were being stubborn in my garage.

 

If you use something to impede the piston's upward stroke (like nylon rope stuffed down the spark plug hole), pls make doubly-sure you're on the compression stroke and not the exhaust. I know it's common sense, but it's worth mentioning. Maybe I'm the only person who would pull such a bonehead maneuver, but whatever. -scott

 

yah same concept mullinator except nylon rope tends to crush and expand a little more than an old vbelt (example: alternator belt cut and slid down the hole), at least thats what ive noticed i used to use a nylon rope for the job also until someone said hey use this..... just my 2 cents

 

Oh and that was before i invested in really good air tools which i now use for everythign in my garage.