Removal Of 722.303 - A Question
 

Almost all of us know that the 617 diesel, and possibly others, should never be rotated counter-clockwise.... rotation, as when adjusting valves, is always to be only in the same direction as when running.

Question: What's the preferred way of "locking" the 617 to prevent CCW rotation when breaking loose the three bolts that hold the torque converter to the flexplate/plate that has the ring gear on it?

Is there a way besides removing the starter and engaging some ring gear teeth with some steel bolted in place?

Thanks for any info or opinions on this.

If you have long arms you can put a 27mm socket on the crankshaft pulley bolt at the front of the engine and hold it in place with a long T bar / ratchet handle whilst undoing the smaller nuts on the adapter plate.

As you've said make sure you don't turn the crank anti-clockwise (as seen looking at the front of the engine) on this nut as you don't want to loosen that one!

There is a MB special tool to lock the flywheel but it is very expensive (and might even be unobtainium by now) but it would probably get in the way of what you are trying to do

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/284511-has-anyone-ever-made-good-diy-tool-lock-om617-flywheel.html

Answer
 

A ratchet, 27mm socket and assistant with cheater pipe to hold it on the crankshaft bolt.

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I have had success with sticking a wedge in between the flywheel starter gears and the bellhousing. Didn’t damage the starter gears in my case.