what kind of puller do I need???

[BlueZee28]

I'm trying to get the dang harmonic balancer pulley off my LQ4, and I can't seem to figure out what puller I need to use. AutoZone rented me a puller with 5 bolt holes that are supposed to bolt around the center hole on the pulley into existing holes, but the pulley on my block only has one hole - the center hole for the harmonic balancer bolt.

So...I bought a big 3-jaw puller but my dad's friend said I could break the spokes of the pulley if I use the 3-jaw because the pulley is made of cast iron. So now I'm like "Great, what do I use now?".

Here's what the pulley looks like. My dad's friend has an LQ4 from a newer truck (2001+), while mine is a 2000. He said his has 3 notches behind the spokes where you are supposed to use a GM specific puller. Here's the kicker. My block doesn't have these notches.

[TurboMic]

use a 3 jaw, just put something in the snout of the crank so you dont mess up the threads in the crank.

[BlueZee28]

use a 3 jaw, just put something in the snout of the crank so you dont mess up the threads in the crank.

I was going to put the bolt back in. Do you think that would be safe? Or would the pressure of the puller pushing on the bolt break the threading?

[TurboMic]

get a smaller bolt, where the threads arent catching, just the head of the bolt sits on the face of the crank snout. the stock bolt wont let the pulley pass. you will have to pull it aal the way off.

[TurboMic]

Ls1 Cam Swap Harmonic Balancer Pull Photo

[GasGuzzler]

The notches aren't in the block they're in the backside of the balancer between the spokes. The block has nothing to do with the swap. The GM tool has a fitting that centers the puller post and protects the threads. It's a simple but expensive compound three jaw puller. Works every time. I can see the spots where the jaws go on yours despite the phone pic. Take a deep breath, you can do it.

[DamnYankee]

[GasGuzzler]

^^^ Yeah, that ^^^

[BlueZee28]

I went and bought one of those ^^^ last night and I got the pulley off today. I guess it helps when you're pulling on the right part of the pulley. haha

Thanks for the help. I got the everything out of the block now, the crank, cam, etc.

[WARLOCK]

Glad you were able to get it taken care of.