flywheel stiffness ??

[LUCKYDUX]

I'm beginning to overhaul an 87 johnson 48 spl and it doesn't appear to want to turn over easily. My question is, with the head off should I be able to easily turn the flywheel? I have to grip it good with both hands and put some muscle into it before it will turn. I am pretty certain it is in neutral. I don't have my manuals yet but I just can't wait

 

[wilde1j]

Re: flywheel stiffness ??

If in neutral, should be very easy to turn. Can you rotate prop shaft? If you can, it's in neutral and something has come apart in the powerhead.

 

[LUCKYDUX]

Re: flywheel stiffness ??

Yes the prop spins freely. Excuse the ignorance but what is the powerhead? I have only tried to start it in the garage, I'm not messing with the drivetrain till I get the manuals.

 

[bktheking]

Re: flywheel stiffness ??

The "engine" part of an outboard, with the head off it should rotate easily as there is no compression, with just the plugs out it should rotate with ease, somethings up if you have to "muscle" it.

 

[LUCKYDUX]

Re: flywheel stiffness ??

Well then somethings up....so it begins Any guesses?

 

[wilde1j]

Re: flywheel stiffness ??

No way to know without xray vision.

 

[LUCKYDUX]

Re: flywheel stiffness ??

But I don't have an x-ray, now what ... kidding On my search for parts it seems there are a few different choices for most parts, like Mallory or Sierra. Is there a superior manufacturer that the boating guru's seem to always go to?

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: flywheel stiffness ??

When you turn the flywheel you're also turning the water pump (crank shaft's connected to the driveshaft ---- driveshaft's connected to the water pump .....) and both the forward and reverse gears. So there's always the possibility the resistance you're feeling is from something amis in the lower unit. (I'm assuming you haven't pulled the lower unit yet).

 

[LUCKYDUX]

Re: flywheel stiffness ??

When you turn the flywheel you're also turning the water pump (crank shaft's connected to the driveshaft ---- driveshaft's connected to the water pump .....) and both the forward and reverse gears. So there's always the possibility the resistance you're feeling is from something amis in the lower unit. (I'm assuming you haven't pulled the lower unit yet).

I haven't pulled the lower yet but I'm assuming when in neutral it should act as though I have no lower...am I wrong??

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: flywheel stiffness ??

Even in neutral you'll be turning the water pump and the forward and reverse gears. The gears just sit there and happily spin with very little drag (if the lower unit doesn't have major issues). When you shift into forward or reverse you're just moving a "clutch dog" into position that "grabs" the inner part of the gear and links it to the prop shaft (a photo would be worth a few hundred words right now, but I didn't take any photos when I had my gearcase apart). As for water pumps, I've seen them be pretty stiff when they're dry, just food for thought (or to add to your confusion).

 

[LUCKYDUX]

Re: flywheel stiffness ??

Someones always gotta throw a wrench in the plans. So here i sit with nothing to do it seems but wait on a book...kinda like watching grass grow. Guess I'm off to read the water pump thread