I just replaced my timing belt on 1995 2.3 Ranger. I have never done this before. I tried to use a traditional harmonic balancer puller but had no where to attach the bolts. I had to use a 3 jaw puller to get the damper off. After using a harmonic balancer installer to get it back on I am having trouble getting the retaining bolt back on. The threads were slightly damaged but I was able to get it started. I am having to use a 3 foot cheater bar to screw in the bolt. I have it down to about 1/2 inch from being seated on the harmonic balancer. I am worried that the effort I am having to put on the cheater bar will snap off the bolt before I get it tight. I am wondering also if the receiver threads were damaged by my first attempt to pull the harmonic balancer. What are my options and have I really messed things up trying to save a few bucks? Do I keep trying to tighten it up or do I just shoot myself to put myself out of my misery?

Thanks for any help.

 

That bolt should screw right in with just finger pressure. If you had to use a 3 foot cheater bar to get it to move you should have stopped right there. I am willing to bet that the threads on the bolt and inside the crankshaft ear are damaged severely. You can replace the bolt and probably could have saved the crank threads if you would have chased them with a tap. Now you have 3 options: used engine, new crank and rebuild bottom end, or take the damaged crank out and take it to a machine shop. I do not believe any machining can be done on the crank with it installed in the engine. If by some miracle you found someone who would attempt to rethread it without removing it, you would still have to pull the engine.

If you try to tighten it more it may strip or (most likely) snap off. If that happens you are really bad off. You could try drilling out the threads and installing a helicoil or other thread insert but I honestly dont believe it will hold up.