Subaru EJ crank pulley holders

[D60]

Awhile back I wanted a crank pulley holder for the EJs. I'm cheap and honestly these tools are dead simple: a 4-bolt pattern drilled into plate steel. If I knew the exact spacing I could easily make one myself, but for ~$40 an ebay unit was worth the time saved -- or so it seemed.

I chose an "ARU" brand on ebay and quality would make a first semester machining student blush:

I later found a used Company 23 on ebay that arrived today. It is, of course, good.

There's no reason the Chinese copy couldn't be acceptable -- and yet they managed to screw it up.

@Trav for a laugh

 

[Nukeman7]

Why are holes in the crank pulley holder handle tapped? Couldn't you have just drilled out the holes with a slightly oversized drill bit to make the "ARU" tool work?

 

[Trav]

I have been using this one for years, never an issue with it and for the price it would be hard to make one for that money.

https://cal-vantools.com/products/subaru-crank-pulley-tool/

 

[Nukeman7]

Why are holes in the crank pulley holder handle tapped? Couldn't you have just drilled out the holes with a slightly oversized drill bit to make the "ARU" tool work?

Oh, I now see from Trav's tool photo posted below that the bolts don't actually screw into the crank pulley, thereby they have to be solidly affixed to the tool itself.

I have been using this one for years, never an issue with it and for the price it would be hard to make one for that money.
View attachment 310583

https://cal-vantools.com/products/subaru-crank-pulley-tool/

 

[D60]

I have been using this one for years, never an issue with it and for the price it would be hard to make one for that money.
View attachment 310583

https://cal-vantools.com/products/subaru-crank-pulley-tool/

I've never seen that style! Very cool!

Extra difficult to make one since I don't have a practical way to broach a square drive They made us drill holes then file 'em out in school just to say we did it.....

 

[Delta]

Ooof

Company 23 does make some good stuff. Allegedly their timing kit is good too.

I'm glad my FA20 has chains, no belts to worry about, just paper thin rod bearings

 

[D60]

Ooof

Company 23 does make some good stuff. Allegedly their timing kit is good too.

I'm glad my FA20 has chains, no belts to worry about, just paper thin rod bearings

I've got several of their cam holders, but when it came to plate steel with four tapped holes, I was trying to save money.

Clearly, the joke's on me. Sometimes you're the windshield.....