I am trying to change the timing belt on my Escort GT with 1.8L DOHC. I was able to take everything off EXCEPT the crankshaft pulley hub. I believe its the plate behind the crankshaft pulley. There is a big black bolt on the crankshaft pulley hub, but when I rotate it it moves the (im assuming) the crankshaft with it. Someone please tell me how I can take off the crankshaft pully hub!!!

The easy was is to use an impact driver (air powered kind) if you don't have one, put the car in park, parking brake on, and use a long bar over the handle of your socket to get more leverage.

oh, you may need someone to try to hold the pully still with a big screwdriver incerted in the teeth. or use a strap wrench on the pully.

Thank you for your suggestions. If I could, I would want to avoid sticking things such as driver between the teeth, so I wont damage them. I only have hammer-type impact driver, but I do have a long wrench to work that thing off only if I could keep the crankshaft pulley/timing belt pulley still. I guess my only problem is how I would keep the crankshaft from turning? My timing belt seems to be shredded, so I dont think holding the camshaft pulley, etc. will help hold it in place.
Thanks again for your suggestion.

cut the belt off and use a large strap wrench on the bottom pully.

I used a long pry bay on mine. Had someone hold it up against the motor mount so it wouldnt unwedge its self. Then just kick the wrench. I dont think that you are going to damage the teeth. Hope this helps.Mine is a 1.9 so i dont know how much if any is the same.

The easy was is to use an impact driver (air powered kind) if you don't have one, put the car in park, parking brake on, and use a long bar over the handle of your socket to get more leverage.

Only works if you have a manual tranny with a good clutch. If you do it's 2nd best to the impact wrench. If you don't have a manual tranny and/or an air impact wrench your going to have to strap it or wedge it. Wedging the pulley or flywheel typically works alot better than strapping it.

I had someone hold down the brake, put it in high gear and was able to loosen the bolt that holds the crankshaft pulley. Thanks alot for everyone who gave me suggestion and help. Thanks again!