1962 Elgin 2 horse air cooled - Flywheel removal

[twocyclemania]

Picked up a 2 horse Elgin. Got the cylinder unstuck but have no spark. I went to 'pop' the flywheel but there is nowhere around the edge to grab it. I have a three finger puller which I usually stagger around the bottom of flywheels and it's always worked. There's no gap between the bottom of the flywheel and a metal plate that surrounds it. Any ideas on how to get the flywheel off. thanks

 

[nwcove]

Re: 1962 Elgin 2 horse air cooled - Flywheel removal

sounds alot like my british seagulls.....its a two person job. id soak it with pb blaster, get a buddy to hold the motor off the floor by the flywheel, and you tap the nut....not the crank with a hammer. it has worked well for me.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1962 Elgin 2 horse air cooled - Flywheel removal

Picked up a 2 horse Elgin. Got the cylinder unstuck but have no spark. I went to 'pop' the flywheel but there is nowhere around the edge to grab it. I have a three finger puller which I usually stagger around the bottom of flywheels and it's always worked. There's no gap between the bottom of the flywheel and a metal plate that surrounds it. Any ideas on how to get the flywheel off. thanks

You should never, ever grab a flywheel with a puller around the outer edge. Ever. I have half a dozen broken flywheels in my shop to show what happened when somebody did that. If you don't break it, you may bend it.

Now: Let me guess. That motor has a bolt holdinig the flywheel down instead of a nut--right? Remove the bolt and starter ratchet, then screw the bolt almost all the way in. There needs to be a bit of clearance between the flywheel and bolt head. Use a screwdriver to lightly pry up at the edge while you give the bolt a sharp rap or two with a hammer. Note that I did not say to use a crowbar, and I did not say to bash it with a sledge. Just a sharp rap is all it takes. It is the shock that removes it, not the bash.

 

[3rdtimesthecharm]

Re: 1962 Elgin 2 horse air cooled - Flywheel removal

I`ve used Kroil on the crank and used a screwdriver to pry up on one side of the flywheel while tapping the opposite side with a rawhide mallet and worked my way around the flywheel.

 

[twocyclemania]

Re: 1962 Elgin 2 horse air cooled - Flywheel removal

Thanks everyone for the help. I did use a screwdriver to work my way around the flywheel as I tapped on the loosened flywheel bolt. Nothing happened so I put some Nuts Off (penetrating oil) around the flywheel/bolt/crank shaft at the top of the flywheel. Next day I went to tap on it again and found the flywheel just lifted off without any further effort. Go figure! I probably would not have figured it out without your help - thanks. Anyway, the mag area was full of cobwebs and dead insects. Cleaned it up, dressed the points and was rewarded with a great and steady spark. I'm ready re-assemble the motor. ps I know some folks frown on the use of a wheel puller along the lower edge of the flywheel but I've removed dozens of flywheels without any problem; you just have to take it easy when you do it.

 

[twocyclemania]

Re: 1962 Elgin 2 horse air cooled - Flywheel removal

Just an FYI: Reassembled the motor and cleaned the tank (easy since it's aluminum and fairly clean to begin with). Fired her up a couple dozen times. She runs beautifully and starts easily. I did use a high mix of 2 cycle air cooled engine oil instead of outboard oil. It's nice to see an old and neglected motor come to life. She'll be my backup on my 14' aluminum since she's compact and lightweight and with her own tank. Never really cared for air cooled but I've come to appreciate them. Thanks for the help in getting her going!