sheared woodruff key? timing cover questions over inspection as well.

i have posted a few times during this project which started out simple as doing the head gasket and getting back on the road. nothings ever that simple for me and mine so i had to dive deeper.

got my crank shaft pulley and harmonic balancer off today as well as timing cover.

i noticed no sign of my key but cant find any definitve answers from previous posts on the forum wether its shredded or what. i found some metallic residue which dropped me to my knees real quick after spending so much time and effort to get as far as i have. theres scarring on the balancer pulley which i am concered about, but i am mainly looking to know if the key is there or not. i see it, but there looks to be some broken off, i just dont know if its completely gone.

alright. now for the timing cover. i am waiting for what should have been my last round of parts, but that might change soon as well. it looks like scarring and maybe some on the exterior of it in the water pump housing.

my timing chain tensioner guide snapped in half by the way. which ive already ordered along with timing chain. i can only wonder how long its been like that.

in question as well, i dont know the name of the chain that sits behind my timing chain, but is that out of line? or am i goin mad.

 

It’s either there or it isn't.
Yours looks to be there with some to spare sticking out.

Looks like this guys.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/woodruff-on-crank.587363/

 

Most likely that main crank bolt backed off...

or even as the HB wears out, it starts to wobble.....and that can back that bolt off.

Reason you're not supposed to reuse that $10 bolt......but we all do....

or a lot of garages will just stab that bolt back on with a quick impact...

but if you don't build/buy that toyota crank lock tool.....getting that to the near 200Lbs is just a guess.


It backs off to edge of that key.......and then just a little more load puts it over failure, like turning on the A/C compressor...
and then bam.....all the lights come on your dash......

 

a tiny chisel & some persuasion get the fubar'd keyway out...
But, way easier to do if the front end wasnt broke...
maybe tap down on the rear & the front will come-up some to you can get the chisel to bite...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqV3gnBt5No


If it dont pluck right out.....then torch + dikes...

 

im hearing to remove and replace the key, correct?

if thats agreed on, ill pull the gear and pop it out. whats the gear called, and easiest method of removing it?

im close as hell to finishing this project. feels good

 

The chain in back is for the balance shafts....

dont know if you have to pull back gear or not...


ONly thing in all that I'd replace is the both sets of guides..
not the chains and maybe not even the tensioners....

you having one broke is damn odd......must be a mfg defect.


Your timing cover looks rough......maybe close to leaking at top and bottom of the water pump.....

If that doesnt clean up.....those are plentiful...

I'd replace the oil pump cover gasket too...while so easy....that gasket turns to dust after 100k.....

Check the back of time cover for cracks around back of oil pump wall....these get hair line cracks if the harmonic balancer wobbled too much for too long as mine did....


90% of these problems are from 'Stabbing' a new/salvage HB cockeyed on to the key.......and then when torqued down.....damage is done....

When you put everything back together go slow and careful....

For Toyota Lexus Harmonic Damper Pulley Holding Tool Set Crankshaft Crank Holder | eBay

 

when im off of work tomorrow i am stopping by my local shop which is full of resourceful guys and ill talk to them as well. i am really concered about the woodruff, simply because i dont wanna have to go fishing for a problem after everything is buttoned up.

oil pump gasket, front seal are on their way should be here friday. tempted to just pull the plug and order a new timing cover.

 

Yeah when I found that hairline crack on inside right around the pump shaft...

I had to quick order $100 ebay one.....and its been fine going on 6 yrs now...

you want to do the outer HB seal on time cover too........however got to examine crank ...
make sure you dont have wear....
On really high milage blocks its takes a seal saver there.......but very rare.....they never make it that far...


When you get that key out....take a pic of that shaft and of what you had to remove to get to it...
that way others will come across this thread in the future.



This is an excellent time to check your valve clearances while the top is off....

 

Make sure your HB isnt on its way out.....their life is similar to the fuel pump.

1st oem one might go 150K.....but replacements wont make it that long...


Over tightened accessorily belts greater accelerate this.

 

update:

things have gone smoothly. smoother than anticipated. got 90% back together until i decided to buy new bolts. what are the torque settings for timing cover??

 

Could not find a pretty pic....

2000 Toyota tacoma 2.7L Engine Torque Specs| Toyota Specs (toyota-specs.com)

Document: (markofshame.com)

 

@O'Silver_Taco you always come through. thank you, i was struggling for the last week to find the specs. everything should be put back together this weekend. ill let you know what happens!

 

i never did take my old woodruff key out. after i cleaned more of the crank shaft it was actually in perfect condition. my mind simply went to worst case scenario real quick.

however.. if someone does need to replace woodruff key under these circumstances, the gear sitting on the crankshaft is stand alone from the balancer gears. using a pulley puller will get it off so that you can access your key. re install with assembly grease and youre fine.

 

So you can pull the key out with just removing that outer gear?

A lot damage the HB key slot and that key from remounting....especially a new tight fitting HB...

 

yessir. i sat down with a local mechanic and picked his brain for a bit of time and we looked at their fancy online shop fsm. it showed that the small gear that aligns timing chain on crankshaft is not a whole unit with the balance gear.

i might have a print off from the shop, if i do i will post a picture of it.

 

engine is all put back together. starts up first try. runs like a champ. couldnt be happier with it. i got an appointment with local shop next week to just do a once over and compression test. all in all it went smoother than it should have but i wish i would have pulled the engine.

pretty goddamn proud to say its 90% rebuilt all done in my front lawn.