I have a 1998 Ford Ranger XLT and my timing belt snapped on me. I've got everything removed except the crankshaft pulley. I've been trying to get it off with an air gun and socket but it just won't budge. Is it reverse threaded or does it just need a lot off power to remove? If it's not supposed to be hard is there anything I'm missing? Any help is appreciated.

Note: I am using the Earthquake XT 1/2in stubby from Harbor Frieght as my removal tool.

 

Regular thread
Yes, it can be very tight

I have used a breaker bar wedged against the frame and then clicked the starter motor to break pulley bolts free, disable spark of course, lol

 

I've tried this but I don't know if I'm doing it wrong, if it's too tight, or if my truck just doesn't have enough power, but it's not busting loose. This one bolt is holding me back from reseting my timing and putting a new belt on to get my truck road ready.

Is there a way I can skip this entirely? Get the belt on and 100% rightly timed without the pully coming off?

 

Usually you have to get the timing belt cover off which requires the removal of the pulley

Looking at the front of an engine, the pulley/crank will spin clockwise on 99% of gasoline engines, your 2.5l for sure does
If you put a socket on the pulley bolt and a breaker bar under the frame rail on passenger side that will hold the bolt from turning in a clockwise direction
Then activate starter motor and crank will turn clockwise and bolt will unscrew

 

I finally got it. I'm guessing since it's sat for so long that the battery just didn't have enough juice to it to give a good break. After soaking it in WD40 and trying and failing then soaking it even more it finally came off. Now all that's left is the pulley itself. I guess the lesson here is there's never too much WD.