Does anyone know if it is possible to remove the stock pulley without buying or renting the special tool? I would think someone has found a home made solution that works, but I've done a good bit of searching and can't find anything.

 

Use the tool. The stock pulley is a taper fit and is pressed on. I've heard of people heating the pulley, but don't do it, you'll ruin the bearing. It's not a good idea to try short cuts to save a few bucks.

 

use the tool. the time and frustration you'll save will more than make up for the price. good luck!

 

Autozone "loans" tools. You have to pony up the money when you leave the store with it, but when you bring it back, they refund 100% of it back to you.

 

a hammer and chisel might work. just beat the snot out of it. it'll come off sooner or later.

seriously, buck up and buy, rent, borrow or steal the right puller. By the time you futz around trying to come up with an acceptable plan B, you'll have spent more time and energy (and possibly money) than if you just did it right the first time.

ripley.

 

Am I correct that I don't need a belt tensioner tool if I buy the deluxe pulley puller from Outmotoring.com? I've seen a bunch of how-to's on this, but none of them are very good. It looks like there are two types of pullers; one that is just a big clamp and requires a bunch of extra work to be done with the tensioner (and a seperate puller tool to pull the clamp) and the Outmotoring tool that does the whole job. Is this correct? Can I do the job just buying the Alta pulley and the Outmotoring deluxe tool?

 

The essientials.
puller - I highly recommend the outmotoring one.
tensioner - make,buy,borrow
in./lb. torque wrench - don't gamble
blue loctite
stiff wire - to hold tensioner
belt - optional only w/15% pulley
pulley - your call
colder sparkplugs - better safe than sorry

 

I am a big fan of the MiniMania puller myself, used it twice now. As for the tensioner: slip something in the top of the spring when you loosen it to hold it. (stiff wire as previously mentioned) I just used a crowbar to lever the tensioner back (stick something in one of the holes on the tensioner and use a 16mm socket+extension on the bolt as a fulcrum).
But, definitely get a puller.
Be careful when you raise the engine.
AND, have fun!
dan

 

exactly what he said!

 

you wanna buy my tool i dont need it anymore

 

Why is it better to have colder sparkplugs?

And, uhh what is a colder sparkplug? A refrigerated one?

 

"Colder" spark plugs operate in a lower heat range. This is good in cases where you're significantly increasing combustion temps as a result of doing a pulley without making additional improvements to the charge air cooling system. Colder plugs can delay preignition and in general add some margin of safety to each combustion event.