does any one make a crank socket that fits the bb, like the ones Comp Cam sells for degreeing. Their one that says for Buick does not fit, and I don't have a sb around to see if it fits that. fernando
He's looking for a socket that goes right on the crank, with no bolt or dampener installed.. and no, I have never seen one.. JW
The socket is shaped just like the hole on the harmonic balancer. It grabs the wodruff key in the end of the crank snout.
socket Fernando I've made several sockets for the crank,they sure are handy when building a short block.I got an old harmonic balancer and cut the snout portion off with the trusty sawzall,then welded an old 1/2" drive socket inside the hole,viola', a neat socket to turn the crank with a breaker bar without having to use the big ass bolt. gary
trying the think...the big balancer bolt threads into the end of the crank, right? so couldn't you just put it on and turn it with a big ratchet?
This works great, the only problem is that if you go to far and need to back up a bit you loosen the bolt.
David if you ever tried degreeing a cam and used the ones from Comp Cams you get spoiled real fast. It's a shame we Buick guys have to always fabricate tools to make a job easier. thanks for the responce. fernando
Hi Guys, You mean like this?:grin: I purchased this "Pro" socket from Powerhouse Products (owned by Comp Cams) in Memphis,TN. It's part number POW103060 and listed for all Ford, Buick and Pontiac with a 1.385" ID and comes with both a 3/16" and 1/4" keyways. I then took it and had the ID machined to 1.445" and had the 1/4" keyway slightly broached a little deeper as the keyway was then too shallow.....cost me $20. The great thing about this is that it also features a threaded end with a knurled nut for my degree wheel and 1/2" drive end for a breaker bar. You can't see it in the pic but it also has a set-screw to lock it tightly to the snout for accurate degreeing. Hope this helps.....
Hi Guys, Bill.....you're welcome! I did this one a couple of years ago, it suprises me no one else has thought to do the same. It was pretty simple to make fit.:TU:
It's amazing Kerry. Sometimes the obvious just eludes you. Been futzin' with engines for 30 something years and own most of these tools. Have the socket for Ford and Chebbie and neither was a correct fit. Machining never entered my mind. The past few months I have been working on two BBB's and a SMB using the "big nut" and rotating clockwise again and again and again, oops, and again! Know what I mean? This is one reason I value this board. I may think I retain a huge personal knowledge, but I seem to be able to learn something new here just about every day. I have to thank YOU for sharing your knowledge regarding the 455's. I have learned quite a bit from your posts. Thanks again.:TU:
Yep, I know what you mean Bill. You're welcome. I definately do not know as much as I would like to but I'm working towards learning all I can!:grin: Like you said, this (and the GSCA) site has been a great value to me with all the knowledge that is shared amongst we Buick brethren.:TU: I hope to continue to help where and when I can.
