On my 97 F-150 4.6, how do you hold the engine from turning while trying to loosen the damper/pulley bolt?

Tried for an hour this morning and got nowhere.

Thanks.

rd

 

I had luck by prying a very large flathead between the balancer and the timing cover...

 

I wouldn't pry or push against the timing cover - it's very thin. Pop the rubber plug out of the bottom of the bellhousing & stick the prybar against the ring gear teeth. They're specifically designed for that load.

A trick I've used on OTHER vehicles is to put a socket & breaker bar on the bolt, lay the handle on the frame, & bump the starter. But it's dangerous if the tool isn't strong enough, or if you put it on the wrong side of the frame.

The ring gear is the safest way to do it.