DIY clutch: How do I...

[Touring23]

Prevent the flywheel from turning while loosening/torquing the PP and FW bolts?
Seems like there should be a tool available.
What's the purpose of the aluminum gasket-plate thingy?

It's a '93, 2WD, 2300.

 

[metalmacguyver]

An impact wrench makes removing them easy. You can also jam the fly wheel with a piece of wood or something that wont damage the starter ring.

 

[Touring23]

OK thanks.
Got 'em loose by clamping the flywheel with a large vise-grip, but it was a struggle. For next time, I'm going to drill a piece of flat bar stock to slip over two of the FW dowel pins.
For installation, it occured to me to use the front crank bolt and a breaker bar to hold the crankshaft. It's a 7/8" socket for the 2300, if anyone cares.

What's the purpose of the aluminum plate between the tranny and the engine?

 

[Jspafford]

Keeps road grim out of places it shouldn't be.

 

[ish474]

a simple trick is to put a tranny bolt back in and use a pry bar between the ring teeth and the bolt it takes a second set of hands but works pretty well.
In really bad situations use one of the tranny bolts and a clutch bolt with a length of chain between them just be carefull use junk bolts so you don't dammage the threads of the bolts you are going to use for the install.

 

[Touring23]

Good ideas, Ish That never occured to me.

Also found a tidbit while searching the archive: use a pair of 3/8" all-rod in the lower mounting holes to guide the tranny during installation. I don't remember whom to credit.

Thx jsp...