custom tools

[H2OSB]

Has anyone invented a tool to lock the flywheel in place with the bellhousing in place? I have a T2 bellhousing mounted to a plate as a run stand mount for my T1. I had to remove the crank pulley to adjust the "behind the pulley" tin due to rubbing. Now I have plenty of clearance, but no way to torque the pulley bolt. Normally my son helps me lift the engine onto the tailgate of his truck, whereby I can remove said bellhousing, lock the flywheel with my typical flywheel lock and do what I need to do. BUUT...my kid is a flight medic currently working a 48 hour shift. I don't have a helper nor a truck to set the engine on.

I could see how a tool could be made from a flat bar that spans from one starter bolt hole to the other. From that flat bar a rod would extend forward that lines up with and fits into the starter bushing. On that rod is welded a starter gear that would lock the flywheel in place. I know it's a very situational tool, but it would have it's uses. I cannot be the first person to think this up. I'm not sure a starter gear is the best (strongest) "lock" but, at least for my needs, it's not having to work much.

Is this already a thing?
H2OSB
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[modok]

Yeah I invented a tool for that. Well, not for a vw specifically but for holding a pulley to tighten the pulley bolt on any engine.
It's made of a chain visegrip, a 1" square tube, and front torsion bars
You want to make one?

I thought of stealing a starter gear but I hate tools that only do one job.
I've scrapped thousands of pounds of those special tools, lord I don't want any more of that.

But far as spanning from a bolthole to another most of the time you just use a short piece of chain, in tension.

But all that is overkill for what your doing since the torque on the pulley bolt is so low on a VW engine you can just smack a wrench with a dead blow and get close enough.

But nothing wrong with overkill, today is today, but humans always invent a new problem to solve with each new design

[H2OSB]

Thank you for the reply. So it sounds like, from reading betwixt the lines a bit, you're saying my idea is viable? I don't mind, a bit, having tools for a single purpose, as long as they're not janky. That thought process goes back to my watercooled days where you had to have a handful of specialized tools that only did one or maybe two functions, but they made the job 100% easier. I still have several Schlay tools laying around and I haven't had a watercooled car since 2005.

To me, my tool idea seemed like it would be easy to produce but would work effectively. I just wasn't sure whether using a starter gear was a good idea or not. Like you said, though, the torque value is not excessive for the pulley bolt.

Thanks
H2OSB
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(o\_i_/o) Funny thing about pigs, they're cleaner than you and me. Well....you.

[VW_Jimbo]

I use my small prybar in the starter hole, wedged into the teeth of the flywheel. The little pry bar will fit into the spot as long as the starter is removed from the car. The shape of the prying end fits perfectly between the teeth and the bar portion locks up against the case.

The only issue with this tool is it usually requires a second set of hands. But sometimes I can wedge it into place and get it to hold itself in place!
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Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[Dusty1]

I used a couple 7' pieces of 1 1/4" tubing welded to a couple wheels, one wide five and a later four lug. It's a brake freer- upper for weed eaters with locked brakes.

It's also handy for removing and re- torqueing axle nuts.

.
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"May you live an interesting life."

[Zed999]

I've never come across anyone who would lock the flywheel to remove or fit a pulley to an engine in the vehicle and it gets done a lot. Myself and I'm sure thousands of others hit the spanner with a hammer. By the time you've got under and started to remove the starter I'm done, probably before you get the spanner on the first nut.

[mikedjames]

Use a hammer, or just wait until it is mated with the transaxle then you can put it in gear with the hand brake on .
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Ancient vehicles and vessels

1974 VW T2 : Devon Eurovette camper with 1641 DP T1 engine, Progressive carb, full flow oil cooler, EDIS crank timed ignition.
Engine 1: 40k miles (rocker shaft clip fell off), Engine 2: 30k miles (rebuild, dropped valve). Engine 3: a JK Preservation Parts "new" engine, aluminium case: 26k miles: new top end.
Gearbox rebuild 2021 by Bears.

1979 Westerly GK24 24 foot racer/cruiser yacht Forethought of Gosport.
1973 wooden Pacer sailing dinghy

[H2OSB]

[Alexander_Monday]

This may be too simplistic, but my thought is....
Got an old or bad starter laying around?
Lock it up by whatever means you choose and install it.
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