Well, thanks for the encouragement, Sureshot. Like helping, do ya?
I found this specialty tool from Alltrade for $25+: http://www.amazon.com/Alltrade-648796-Crankcase-Pulley-Removal/dp/B0000TMLWQ
I was hoping someone might have one and loan it or sell it for about that. Anybody?
I got myself a pretty good impact wrench. I’m not worried about getting it off, after all there are lots of ways. I see that the thread and engine rotation are right to just block a breaker bar in there with a short socket, then hopefully break it free by cranking the engine (without spark). The breaker bar fits in there very nicely against a forward frame element.
The trouble I expect is in getting it torqued on properly afterward. My 1/2" torque wrench, affordable Chinese trash, goes up to 150; Honda wants 181. I could buy a better one for $200, but that’s not practical. Even the 3/4" TW at HFT costs $70. And then there’s no good way to provide countertorque without the special tool, except through the transmission. I’ll try jamming the rotor studs against the caliper, maybe, but then it’s an automatic, so I don’t know if it’ll grab enough. A friend could stand on the brakes I guess. I also have a strap wrench that I might modify; might be enough on that big pulley.
So why do you two think I’ll have trouble with the timing? I haven’t read up yet, but I’ve done this on two 4cyl and an L6 before, and nothing changes. Match the marks, tension the belt, reassemble, run with the test jumper, turn the alternator until the right mark lines up. Anyway, I have the factory service manual.
I remember removing that bolt from my old Civic (twice). I did that without the benefit of heat and an impact wrench, but at least it had some holes in the pulley that I could work with.