So a lot of my friends on local forums are giving me shit for taking my time with this build. I'm gonna post up what I did there for those of you that are actually reading this thread. It might also offer some comfort to those who have struggled on sometimes the most simple tasks yet exceeded on other more challenging ones.
Besides being slow and riding bikes all the time....the truth behind my slowness comes from me being an idiot. I don't know if Toyota forgot to apply anti-seize when installing the components or the front of the engine sat in water for a while but the harmonic balancer and crank pulley were so stupid seized on the crank snout.
After having a hell of a time getting the harmonic balancer out, the crank pulley broke my spirit. After snapping two grade 5 bolts using a puller tool, I finally ordered some grade 8 bolts to do the job. Problem was I couldn't get the second grade 5 bolt out because not only was it completely stuck in there but it broke off flush to the pulley. I tried quite a few techniques and was very reluctant but I've finally given up and having a machine shop friend come by this afternoon to remove it for me. For those of you that know me, I'm very DIY oriented (re: stubborn) and don't like giving up. But at this point this tiny obstacle has halted the whole project. I have literally everything ready to go after this pulley comes off. The only thing I'll need to do is measure driveshaft length and electric fan clearance to order parts sized to fit.
So moral of the story, don't be afraid to ask for help. Sometimes the most simple stuff throws you for a loop and makes you question everything you know.