I'm putting in a j-spec right now that came with a loose e-bolt.
When I started to tighten it abit the pullie would not seat-just side in and out.

I noticed the key was sicking out...I thought to myself "OMG!, the needle berring fell off and the key won't slide back in all the way.
So I had an assisant push in the clutch while I lightly turned bolt/pullie in hopes of seating it.
I got the keyway in (I think) because it won't shake in and out now.

Ether the keyway will stick out a bit with the clutch in or I got lucky and shook it back into place
Engine rotates smooth by hand and has none if any play in it.

How can u tell if it fell out?
Would it still turn smooth....I don't want to put more than 10ftlbs on the bolt till I'm sure.

Thanks.

 

Check for ANY wobble in the main pulley. If a thrust (needle) bearing has slipped and you tighten the eshaft bolt, pinching the bearing, the pulley will have a slight wobble when rotated.

 

Seriously, I'd flat stop what you're doing and pull the front cover. Sounds like you don't have the engine totally in a car, and it's WAY easier to do a front cover job with the motor out of the car. Don't guess at it, pull the cover off and do everything right. Doing a front cover job later is the BIGGEST pain in the ***.

Dale

 

Can I get away with not taking off the pan and water pump housing on the fd?

It is not sitting next to me right now.

Thxs