Heating Aluminum IS NOT a good idea.

 

To each their own. Not saying I wouldn't heat my pulley to put it on, I just used the longer bolt instead.

 

Propane isn't hot enought to melt aluminum I don't think. But nevertheless I would heat it if it was mine.

 

This is probably going to fall on deaf ears here, but there have been quite a few people who have screwed up their crank threads using the bolt (stock or longer) to install the pulley. Many have even broke the bolt while doing it. The expense and effort to repair stripped crank threads is quite high.

 

Would you take the chance on someone not aware of the melting points of aluminum and a torch on a crank pulley? You can't see aluminum overheat, It just melts, no indicators. Then you're out of luck.

 

Only if you don't know what you're doing.

 

I said I would heat it if it was mine. I'm fully aware of the affects of heating different metals. I was a welder/fabricator, heat treater, manual and CNC Machinist in my previous job. IMO - if you have the sense to do a cam swap you probably have the sense of how hot to heat a pulley for expansion and not to harm it.

 

I work on Bombardier products and I use heat on all the aluminum differential and crank cases to ease installation of the bearings. Using a hand held propane torch is perfectly fine. I usually heat the parts to about 200* (using a handheld temp tester). I do the same for crank bearings on the Sea-doo's, heat the bearings on a bearing heating pad for about 15-20 min. and they slide right on the crank.

 

Not saying what you're saying isn't true But, some newbies may not have a welding background ( I have exepericence in this area too) and not be aware of aluminum and heat. Just trying to give other options.

 

The way I see it is if they read this thread and then pick up an oxy/acetaline torch and hold it to it for a minute and melt something they are just an idiot that can't pay attention to detail and don't need to be doing a cam swap anyway.
On the other hand, if you feel comfortable using the oxy/acet then go for it. I'd use it if I was out of propane.