I'm doing a timing belt job on my 1.6 before putting it in the car. Can't get the crank bolt off because I can't figure a way to keep the crank from turning. Any suggestions?

 

m.net garage section has an idea or 2. Here's a pic of one.

http://www.miata.net/garage/images/crankshaft_tool.jpg

 

put one of the bell housing bolts back in and use a prybar between the bolt and the flywheel teeth.

 

Rope trick. Turn crank until one cylinder is at the bottom of the stroke. Feed a piece of clothesline into the spark plug hole and turn it in the direction you want until the rope jams and locks the crank. Then, have at the bolt.

 

Thanks for the advice guys. I did it the arkmage way, and came right off!

 

Also works well for torquing the flywheel bolts

 

I just stick a screwdriver through one of the holes on the flywheel into a crevice on the block. That holds everything in place.