knowledge is limited. here is my explanation, have 78 300d bought car odometer said 189k hasn't turned since. Made it from Portland to Los Angeles, had the brakes done. Guy mentioned main bearing. Noted.

Car then made it to NC was driven a bit, then on to NY. Estimated 5k miles later. Getting on interest state hear a bang, popped the hood, depression set in. Seemingly bolt that holds harmonic balancer/crank? bolt snapped I would guess 1/2 of it is still stuck inside. Heard two schools of thought bearing seized and locked it up. Number two get bolt out with reverse bit put new one in and see what happens.

I don't want to waste any more time/money than necessary. Any advice appreciated. I love the car, minimal rust, brakes, tires, electric, tranny(seems) fine. Would hate to let it sit more. Car started even after everything happened. Has been sitting for about 4 months. Figure battery is dead. It is in NY I am in NC. Other question. Better to bring it down here and deal with it or do it there???

Thanks again. Jeremiah

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Crankshaft bolt snapped? I was dealing with this bolt once and from what I remember it took like 500ft.lb to get it loose.
Harmonic balancer suppose to still stay on the crankshaft and keep on turning with two round keys.
Those balancers are not cheap, but from your description the balancer might be still OK.
Chances are, that after pulling the balancer off you still might part of the bolt sticking out, what would work well with vise-grip, or pipe wrench. Start with pulling the radiator out and you won't regret it.
The car is classic sample of ingenious engineering in 20-th century. Spending few hundreds $ to fix it might be still a good deal.

 

the bolt snapped off a bit, I mean I can stick my finger in in as far as between 1st and second knuckle on index finger and can still feel a bit of the bolt in there.

J

 

I bought a 79 300D that had the same problem, It was bought for a parts car at first (only paid $100.00 for it) then i got the brite idea that it might live again. I took it over to my father in laws shop and used a screw and bolt extractor on it. once it was out we chased the threads. Also had to get a new center for the balancer because when the bolt broke it allowed the pins to inlarge the seating area on the crank and the ballancer. they do sell over sized locator pins for the crank. after you position the balancer on the crank, first you will have to put #1 piston on top dead center by rotating the crank in the dirrection of rotation with the oil filler open so you can observe the lobes of the cam for #1, when thay are both up like bunny ears then you position the balancer at tdc.you wil then need to drill the the seating area for the pins .The reason for doing it with the balancer on is so when you drive in the locator pins is so they are tight. then when you put in the crank bolt use red loctight on the threads. and do not forget to install a new seal first. By the way my 300D is still running strong at 233.975 mi. on original engine. I hope this was a help to resolve you'r problem.[sm=burnout.gif]

 

Thanks a lot. That gives me something to work with. Much appreciated. Hopefully soon i will get into and let you know how it pans out.