So a few weeks ago, I was driving to school in the pouring rain (I'm a teacher) when I hear a pop under the hood followed by a lot of smoke. Belt that runs the water pump and alternator snapped, wrapped around harmonic balancer and started smoking. It also destroyed the top of the radiator. Eventually made it to school, got new belts and radiator, plus new harmonic balancer.

Replaced all, but apparently didn't get the harmonic balancer seated properly on the crankshaft.

I drive a 98 Tacoma 4x4 w/ 2.7L 3RZ FE engine.

Drove about 7 miles with the harmonic balancer not seated properly. Pulled it off to put it back on and the inside of the hb was gouged out some. The new balancer wouldn't go on smoothly because the edges of the crankshaft were a little scuffed up. So decided to remove the timing cover, but it is held on with phillips head screws and they keep stripping!! I think that if I can get the timing cover off, I can smooth out the end of the crankshaft so that the new harmonic balancer will fit.

Does anyone have a suggestion on how to get the screws out or see flaws in my plan? The keyway is internal and the key appears undamaged but I won't know for sure until I can get the timing cover off.

Thanks for any help. I have been a long time lurker but never a poster!