The easy way is to get something clamped on the harmonic balancer so that it wedges against the block rail to stop it from turning. You can use the large ViseGrips, c-clamp, or even slide a large screwdriver through one of the slots so it wedges against the pan rail.
If you can't do that, you can do the same on the flywheel, except it is usually harder to get to that.
I've used a counter bar (pry bar, large screwdriver) fitted through two bolts in the balance so you pull the breaker bar against the counter bar so that in essence the engine isn't turning. Figure the bolts will be junk afterwards so use two spares and not ones you need to reattach the pulley.
Last case is to pull a plug and use a piston stop. You have to carefully roll the engine over to have the piston contact the stop slowly so as to not damage anything. Then with the engine stuck, you can remove the bolt with a breaker bar and socket or sometimes even a large 1/2 drive ratchet.
A totally insane way I heard of someone doing is to put a socket and breaker bar on the bolt, roll the engine over until the breaker bar is wedged against the frame or the water pump, remove the coil wire, and crank the engine.
I DO NOT recommend the insane way. I'm not really sure that would even work. I imagine it is a good way to launch a breaker bar across the garge, through your hood, bounce it off your head and may off your windshield.
If you can't do that, you can do the same on the flywheel, except it is usually harder to get to that.
I've used a counter bar (pry bar, large screwdriver) fitted through two bolts in the balance so you pull the breaker bar against the counter bar so that in essence the engine isn't turning. Figure the bolts will be junk afterwards so use two spares and not ones you need to reattach the pulley.
Last case is to pull a plug and use a piston stop. You have to carefully roll the engine over to have the piston contact the stop slowly so as to not damage anything. Then with the engine stuck, you can remove the bolt with a breaker bar and socket or sometimes even a large 1/2 drive ratchet.
A totally insane way I heard of someone doing is to put a socket and breaker bar on the bolt, roll the engine over until the breaker bar is wedged against the frame or the water pump, remove the coil wire, and crank the engine.
I DO NOT recommend the insane way. I'm not really sure that would even work. I imagine it is a good way to launch a breaker bar across the garge, through your hood, bounce it off your head and may off your windshield.
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