OKCSpitfire - sounds like you are getting a little frustrated! I'll avoid the temptation to get into a slanging match on the relative faults of British and American cars ;-) I have no idea why Triumph chose such a random size for their pulley nut.
One method for loosening the nut is to remove a spark plug, and feed a lenth of rope into the cylinder. This jams the piston, and prevents the crank from turning, so you can then turn the nut, preferably with a VERY long extension bar! Another (more brutal) method is to fit the socket and an extension bar onto the nut, then hit the starter motor. Having said all this, shortly after I had a (professionally) reconditioned engine fitted to my Spit, I remember noticing the crank nut was loose, so I returned to the shop that fitted it. They had a nightmare trying to shift the nut, it wouldn't move either way, tighten or loosen. I can't remember what sorted it in the end, but I think it involved a lot of brute force. Richard ________________________________________________________________________ This message (including any attachments) is confidential and may be privileged. If you have received it by mistake please notify the sender by return E-mail and delete this message from your system. Any unauthorised use or dissemination of this message in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. Please note that E-mails are susceptible to change. The Penspen Group shall not be liable for the improper or incomplete transmission of the information contained in this communication nor for any delay in its receipt or damage to your system. The Penspen Group does not guarantee that the integrity of this communication has been maintained or that this communication is free of viruses, interceptions or interference. The following UK companies within the Penspen Group and any electronic communication sent on behalf of any of them, are subject to the provisions of the UK Companies Act 1985; PENSPEN HOLDINGS LIMITED (Company Number : 980600) Registered Office: 3 Water Lane, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1TJ Registered in England and Wales (VAT No; 239 7770 19) PENSPEN LIMITED (Company Number: 584446) Registered Office: 3 Water Lane, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1TJ Registered in England and Wales (VAT No; 239 7770 19) (Unipen, Penspen Integrity and Andrew Palmer & Associates are operating divisions of Penspen Limited and Spencer & Partners and Pencol are trade names of Penspen Limited) MANCHESTER JETLINE LIMITED (Company Number: 2392093) Registered Office: 3 Water Lane, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1TJ Registered in England and Wales (VAT No; 537 8635 08) _______________________________________________ Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html Spitfires@autox.team.net http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/spitfires http://www.team.net/archive