Crankshaft sensor bracket help please!!

[Hank Ranger]

Earlier today I tried changing my timing belt on my 93 2wd 2.3. Everything went well until after removing the crank pulley, I couldn't get the washer behind the crank pulley (belt guide?) to slide off because the bracket holding the crank sensor was in the way. I removed 3 screws (1 10mm head and 2 8mm head) that retain the cs sensor bracket, but the bracket won't move and for the life of me I couldn't locate any other screws holding this thing on. I didn't want to put alot of force on that bracket because it seems from what I have read here so far it is not uncommon to break the cs sensor bracket on this engine.
After much profanity I decided the best choice was to put the truck back together (I need the truck everyday for work). I do want to do the timing belt soon though as its showing alot of dry rot cracks. Any advice on this would be so greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone.

 

[nesralyrrej]

well i just did my timing belt and had the same problem, the belt will slip past the belt guide if you try.

 

[scotts90ranger]

There is an alignment pin on the bracket as well as the 2 bolts, if you get the two bolts that hold the bracket to the block out and give it a little twist while pulling I bet it'll come off, my guess is there's a bit of oxidation between the pin and the sensor making it hard to move...

 

[Hank Ranger]

I think I felt that pin your talking about, under where the cs sensor wires sit, maybe like a dowel pin in the middle of the bracket.

Thanks for the speedy reply I'm gonna try again this weekend

 

[scotts90ranger]

Yep, that's it, twist and pull gently and you should be good to go.

 

[4b316]

If it doesn't come off,give it a shot of PB blaster and let it sit for an hour and sometimes that helps.You can take a small pocket torch and give it a little heat around the dowel(be careful,just a little)They can get really stuck on there with oxidation.