Thanks for the responce Rule 308-I just went back outside after reading your post and felt back down there one more time to be sure-the center section coming from the crank has threads-I took my Starrett Mic and turned it 8 times and a half or .85 dia to get the read from side to side on the stud-the threads go all the way back to the face of the harmonic balancer- there is a hole that is threaded inside the stud but it only goes back 3/4 of an inch or so. Can't tell what thread (course or fine) though-give me a post back tomorrow if you don't mind, it'll help me get through this for sure. I read once if I remember correctly the balancer took over 200 lbs of force to pull off.
Your right frigging scary to say the least.
Thanks again
Poolman