Stripped Crankshaft Pulley Bolt... Yikes!

Well then...

When my harmonic balancer started to wobble, I knew there was a problem...

So I got the bolt out, and as you can see from the picture, it's wrecked. I'm assuming there's also some major damage to the threads in the crank as well. So my question is, anyone know if I could tap new threads into the crank? And if so, any suggestions, on tap kits, sizes, or maybe use a heli-coil? Any suggestions would be nice. I'm a newbie when it comes to tapping, maybe a shop would be a better option? Though, I do prefer to do work myself. You know, experience and yada yada.

Doing this with the engine still on the truck would be preferable.

Oh it's a 1995 5vfze engine.

Thanks,

Greg

 

What you need is a bottoming tap. Find one the same size and thread pitch as the bolt. Using lots of oil and thread the tap in slowly until it bottoms out. Use compressed air and blow out the chips left behind. With a NEW bolt (from Toyota), thread in and check for "Play" moving the bolt from side to side.
Excessive play?
No? Good to go. Be easy on the tightening torque as you don't have as many healthy threads.
Yes? 2 options. 1. Drill out existing thread and either cut new ones or put in a helicoil.
2. Replace crank.

 

I for sure would not want to try this with the Crank still in the engine.

Only because of the very limited area to work

Any tapping or drilling operations you need to be straight and level .

Then if I recall the Torque on that bolt is pretty high 184 foot pounds .

damaged threads who can say it might strip before your even close.

Then if your going to all that trouble you may as well go with a new crank

Your lucky the pulley did not come off and cause even more carnage.

 

Along with all the previous stuff mentioned it's likely that the pulley/balancer itself had been damaged and maybe the outer surface of the crank. Many times the crank will "look" all fubared but after a good cleaning ends up OK. The pulley should not fit loose or have any wobble on the crank (no bolt in place).

That bold is the "old style" and a Toyota replacement will be the new revised style that also has an increased torque of 217 ft lbs.
It may be the camera lens but that bolt looks bent and the destruction of the threads at the end seems to suggest that it had backed out a fair bit. Also take a close look at the key in the crankshaft keyway. From the factory they don't protrude very far into the pulley and can get sheared or worn off if the pulley is loose. That same key also aligns the lower timing belt pulley and the crankshaft position sensor reluctor ring.