My new crankshaft gear (not the pulley/damper) arrived yesterday. From looking at the new one, it looks like the old one should just slide off, and the new one slide on. Is this the case? Or, will it be difficult to remove and replace? It looks like there will be no chance of misaligning it, since there is a channel on one side. Any tips would be appreciated.

You might have to tap the face of it with a hammer a couple of times to both loosen it a straighten it. There is just enough slop in the fit that sometimes they get a little crocked and they won't slide right off. When it is straight it will slide right off. If it does not just tap it on the face from one side to the other until it is free and straight and then it just pulls off. Make sure that you put it on with the little nub towards the outside and align the tooth with the slot on the crank, install the shields correctly (inner and outer) otherwise it is pretty much fool proof. What is wrong with the old one that you are replacing it and are you going to do the seals while you are in there?

Mark

I did the seals, and when I was putting the harmonic balencer back on there was not any of the nub on the gear that stuck through the shield for the slot on the harmonic balencer to fit onto. I aligned it by sight, and bolted it up tight. There has been no drift for several weeks, but I thought I should buy a new one just to make sure I don't have a problem later.

Chances are that thing will never slip, but you are right it is best to take it apart and stuff in a new one.

Mark

Yep, slides off and on. Getting the harmonic balancer off is the hard part. Well not hard, just a little more difficult. You can read about it in the FAQS.
steve