I have a (new to me) A12 engine and am trying to get the timing cover off. This appears to require removal of the crank pulley because of the studs that go through the timing belt cover. Any suggestions about how to get that bolt loose? Is it left- or right-hand thread? I'm reluctant to jam a screwdriver in the flywheel teeth for fear of breaking one off.

It's right hand thread. I undid one the other week and it's f**cking tight! My motor's on a stand so I put a rod through the flywheel bolts and a breaker bar on the crank bolt. I needed ~1.5m long breaker bar! Too much for my rattle gun. Someone else might have some tips on how to stop the engine turning with it in the car. I've got that ahead of me.

one ghetto way i did, was to remove all plugs, put socket to that 27 bolt and a L socket, and i crank the engine using starter. make sure you secure the L socket to the chassis, put a long breaker bar and hold it firmly or whatever, don't let it move when you crank. if everything is ok, one short crank is enough.

Its normal thread

Put the transmission in 4th gear, set the hand brake. Use a socket wrench with a long pipe extension. And jerk the wrench instead of steadily pulling it.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll try them out. It's particularly useful to know that I'm not actually tightening the bolt when I try to loosen it.

If the motor is out of the car you can put a bar between two of the pressure plate mounting bolts.......I have a couple of shouldered bolts that are longer than normal that I hand tighten down to the shoulder........then place my bar in between. Sometimes my car gun won't spin the bolt off.

Tom