My dads changing the cam belt and tensionner on my R reg fiat brava 1.6 16v and he cant get the crank bolt undone to get the old belt off. is it one of those left hand threads or does it just need brute force? Many thanks!

When doing my 1.4 12v cambelt all threads were normal, no left hand threads as far as i'm aware, they may be italian, but they aren't idiots give it a good soaking of WD40 or other penetrating oil, few ghood whacks with a well sized hammer (brummie screwdriver) and thats should help, if not your gonna be resorting to cutting/drilling it out or taking it to a garage unfortunataly

I remember doing this many moons ago, and found solution for exerting force easy buy haveing a decent socket on a tough bar with extended sleeve (like steel tube [scaffold cut down]) so it can rest on the ground, and have car in 1st (or 2nd) and push car, turning engine via gearbox, thus releasing the bolt.

Do make certain though if left or right hand thread!

[1st modded 1979 Toyota_much learnt]

mind you instruction above is before removing the cambelt etc.

ok

Lock the flywheel by taking the cover off the bottom of gerbox. The flywheel bolt is a normal right-hand thread

Hi
The CRANKshaft bolt is left handed
The CAMshaft bolt is right handed

To change a timing belt you do not need to touch the crankshaft perhaps you ment to say camshaft