[87allante]

I want to change my thermostat gasket - it leaks. I read the FSM, foundd out that the AC compressor needs to be dismounted - friggin' engineers - thought that stuff didn't start till the mid 80s.

Anyway to move the compressor it appears I have to remove the belt. To remove the belt I need to loosen the 2 bolts holding the power steering pump in place. The outer one (closest to the fender) was no problem. The inner one sits behind the pulley with maybe an inch and a half of clearance - so no socket.

I found a long 9/16ths open end wrench, put it on the bolt. Bolt is really in there, would not turn. Soaked it with Blaster (waste of time probably, just soaking the head, can't get to the threads).

Put the wrench on again, really tugged on it, ended up rounding the corners of the bolt head.

Bought an extra long 9/16ths 12 point box wrench, which does grip the head. Still cannot budge the bolt, even with an extra 6" of leverage provided by a short piece of pipe on the end of the wrench.

Any ideas? I really do not want to have to take off the pulley, pull the radiator and condenser, and go after the bolt with a long extension and my impact wrench ....

thanks

Art

 

[rodnok01]

A 6 point box end wrench and another box wrench for leverage looped over it(i keep a couple large cheapos just for this). If the bolt snaps it would have anyway using an impact. PB blaster does soak in, also take a punch and rap on heads of bolt maybe it'll loosen it's grip(shock it loose).
If you can get to the wrench with a hammer consider smaking it also to shock it loose, although it doesn't seem to work as well as the 2 wrenches for me. Good luck.

 

[cadillac_al2]

Is that an Olds 350? Most of my Olds engines have a hole in the pulley so you can put a deep socket in there. I seem to remember laying under the car to loosen some bolt when tightening the power steering belt.

 

[87allante]

thanks - I will re-soak it, won't be able to work on it till Monday or so, that will give the Blaster a better chance to soak in

Appreciate the help - I have plenty of 50 cent garage sale vintage wrenches for leverage

Art