Flywheel question for the experts

[iwombat]

'77 85hp just for reference.

Back from a trip to the San Juan Islands for all of last week. The last day (better than the first day) I had a timer base malfunction (determined after proper testing) w/ a NOS timer base and lost the left bank. Now, this is the second timer base I've had problems with, the first I adjusted using the tool, but it showed wear and I bargain-hunted a NOS one for a replacement.

After I got home I got to thinking that the only common element here is the flywheel. I happen to have an extra flywheel of a '76 powerhead so I swapped it. That cured the problem right away.

I took off the flywheel and compared the two side-by-side. After lots of looking and measurements I can't figure out any differences. However, one works and one doesn't.

Any ideas? Ever seen this before?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Flywheel question for the experts

you got me!!

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Flywheel question for the experts

Magnets can - and will - cause all sorts of wierd things. Especially that center hub magnet.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Flywheel question for the experts

Thanks, Dennis.

Believe it or not, that's strangely comforting.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Flywheel question for the experts

We had a V6 on the dyno once that had burned a total of 5 or 6 pistons. Might last an hour, might run 6 months. I was watching the timing when the magnet moved. The timing went off the scale. And yes, it instantly burned another piston.

Saw another one that acted like the starter was bad or not getting enough juice. When you hit the key the flywheel would almost stop twice and then take off & start. The marina changed everything from the starter to the battery, including the cables. For some reason he changed the flywheel and it started perfectly from then on.

A buddys motor kept burning port side pistons at random. The last time he put it together I helped him set the timing. One side was 4* ahead of the other so he'd always been setting the timing by the highest side. Obviously the motor had no power. We changed the flywheel and the timing was perfect on both sides. And low. Set it to 28, got the power back and never burned another piston.

I had a looper that bogged on acceleration. Reglued all the loose outer magnets and it never bogged again.

Beats me...........

 

[iwombat]

Re: Flywheel question for the experts

Sounds like tales from Ripley's.

I'll stick with the replacement flywheel, look no further, and see what happens.