got the balancer off with lots of patience.. its in good shape rubbers whole and no need to chase threads with a tap now, always good to have tools around though.

now that the front covers off i found the main chain tensioner is broken too but i suspect it happened when i was removing the crank bolt and forgot to replace the front tensioner so the slack maybe put too much pressure on the already old follower.

whats the purpose of removing the lifters and cam?

will the front cam timing chain tensioner come out with the gear off but cam still seated (and lifters)

close to finishing this up but i'll for sure skip the 4x4 and rear casettee.

 

also, which torque to yield bolts should i really be worried about?

the jackshaft torx one seems most important, necessary to replace or can some threadlock do the trick..

 

reused all bolts successfully.

actually scratch that.. reused the two torque to yield bolts sucessfully.

i somehow used in the wrong spot the coil pack mounting bolts (not the mount but the bolts holding coil pack down) so the ones threading into the coil pack are too short now, also one flange bolt on the water pump and i think one water pump bolt?

i decided to forego the clutch fan for now, its the sub arctic so if i cant keep her cool with just the rad the engines got serious problems.

i'll be redoing it come spring but thank the lord i dont have to pay for a cab every time i go out for provisions.