My crank pulley bolt came loose while the engine was running. I have pulled off the crank pulley and now the key doesn't want to slide in all of the way. There's probably 1/2 to 1/4" of it sticking out. I can see the keyway on the crankshaft and the keyway on the flat metal piece surrounding it and they are aligned (couldn't tell if they're both the crank, but they spin together when I turn the crank via the bolt). Is there another part to the keyway that is further in and may not be visible on the surface that I'm missing? If so, do you have any suggestions to align the two? If not, what could the key be holding up on? Thanks!

I'm sure these seem like basic, dumb questions, but it's hard enough just to see the keyway itself!

Tim

 

1/2 in of key is too much hanging out. I'd suspect either the crankshaft's snout is damged from the key coming out, or the timing chain pulley/crank sensor ring is has a burr on it.

You'll probably need to remove the timing chain case to inspect the crank fully.

 

WTF....it is impossible for that bolt to come loose, unless it was tampered with and incorrectly tightened.

That key has a taper on it as well. Should be facing the crank, and towards the back.

 

Pic for the records. Back of the crank pulley:

 

Billman, timg has a rebuilt/sleeved motor.

 

its in backward

 

I'm pretty sure timg figured it out since his car has been running since after this was posted in January 06