How To Remove Front Crankcase Cover?

[Greg Debi Josh]

Hi,
Our engine is a marinised Ford Transit 2401E [1976]. Now leaking a lot of oil from the crankshaft seal. I need to remove the front crankshaft cover to see and measure the dimensions of the seal.

Is there any tricks to holding the flywheel still whilst removing the huge nut?

Many thanks to helpful cruisers.

[Vyndance]

Ideally with an impact wrench. Electric if you have one or off a dive tank. In absence of an impact you can hold the balancer with a strap or chain wrench. You may also be able to bring it up against compression and be your own impact with a large breaker bar. The seal should be mounted to tha front cover. Good luck.

[donradcliffe]

Take some 3/8 line and do a jamming wrap around the pulley and tie to an engine mount.

[Borealis]

find a taped block of wood and jam into some place that will hold flywheel still. On my Sabb I can take off the side cover (4 easy bolts) to the engine block and use a wood block under the crankshaft. Wood should be a part of every mechanics toobox.