Andy81

I just want to start off by saying, great forum. As I am an intermediate-level mechanic at best and <1 year Toyota owner, Yotatech is a great asset that I see myself relying upon heavily.
As I have tackled a Timing Belt replacement on my 89 Pickup (3VZE),
I noticed the front crankshaft seal leaking somewhat, so of course I decided to replace it. Problem is, for the life of me I could not remove the timing gear from the crankshaft. I have a FSM for my 89, and it suggested using 2 screwdrivers, 1 at 9:00, 1 at 3:00, to pry it loose ("if it will not come off by hand"). No luck. I tried numerous applicatons of PB Blaster, two heating cycles with a torch, and still no results. So, I decided to put it back together and take my chances.
Long story short, everything back together, started up, ran great, but got a steady flow of oil from the front crank seal. I guess I damaged the seal when I was trying to pry the pulley free. So, I have it torn back down to the crank timing pulley again, and this evening plan to drill & tap two 1/4-20 holes in the face of the gear and use a steering wheel-style puller to remove it. Then I plan on replacing the seal.
Questions:
1. Any tips on R&R of the front crank seal on the 3VZE? I've searched, and found one suggestion of running a small self-tapping screw into the seal, and using that screw to pry the seal out. I'm wondering if anyone else has any tips to share. Also, I haven't been able to locate much information at all on the installation of the seal.
2. Has anyone had to resort to the drill & tap & puller method to remove the crankshaft timing gear on the 3VZE? If so, any best practices or words of caution you can share with me?

Thank you so much in advance for your time,

Andy

leiniesred

Sorry about the gear, I think it could rust on. Just keep after it.

I used the self tapping screw trick on that seal. The napa seal was identical to the toyota seal. part number and manufacturer.

Gonzo4Runner

I have tried to pry this pulley off before, and it hasn't worked for me. The heat applications probably damaged the seal.

Before drilling and tapping, get a 2 or 3 jaw puller (from Harbor Freight or Sears). This will be less messy. It works for me.

Gonzo

Ron Helmuth

It's a 3.5 year old revive a thread... Our vehicle is the 89 toyota mr2-we are getting ready to pull crankshaft and cam shaft seals.

Really put a screw in there the use that as my tug on leverage point?