Hello guys,

I am relatively new to repairing cars and I wanted to check with you before going forward just to make sure what I am doing is correct. Last month I replaced the head gaskets on my EJ20 engine and when I put on the crank pulley I torqued it to 75ft-lbs. However, from what I am reading this is way too loose and so what I am wondering is could that bolt being loose cause an oil leak, or is it (this is what I really think it is) the front crankshaft seal?

Also do you have any tips for tightening the bolt, even at 75ft-lbs it was hard to hold the pulley still.

 

Thank you.

under normal circumstances that won't cause the seal to leak. the oil pump should be completely resealed, remove it and:

1. tighten any loose backing plate screws (usually 2 or 3 are loose)

2. new oring

3. new sealant around oil pump body

4. new crank seal

 

gotta lock the motor in place to get some good torque on a 3 foot long pipe over the socket:

 

1. automatic - use a socket extension through the flywheel hold to hold it in place.

 

2. manual - in gear with someone pressing the brake pedal

Unless its a turbo I use a tapered pin punch thru the hole on the passenger side of the bellhousing. Its threaded and about even with the dowel pin (1/2 way down). It will lock into the teeth of a flywheel or the bolt of an automatic flex plate bolt. I also have the Subaru Special Tool for holding the crank pulley but the punch is much faster than setting up the tool. That can be used on the turbo engines and any that don't have the flywheel or flexplate still attached.