Help! I'm stuck!

[karlow1]

This sucks, I determine what to fix, and order the part. Progress right no! I need to replace the power pack. it' misfiring the lower cyln. 1990 40HP Johnson/Tracker. The part's on order. I need to pull the flywheel. Things start off great. The electric impact does the job, the nut comes off. Next I scrounge up some bolts. I install my searing wheel puller. I crank it down and things start going south on me. The threads strip Ok it was old, and not too smooth anyway. I break out the balancer puller. I crank it down. Things are tight.
I spray it with penetrating oil and leave it overnight. Next day, it's still tight, In loosen it lube the thread , and crank it down, and down, and pop It take a min to determine what broke. It was th center foot on the puller. it exploded into two parts or more! Crap, I have used it to pull the harmonic balancer off several engines in the past. What gives? What should I do? The threads, bolt or something is got to give soon. I have tried tapping it with the big hammer. Thats not good for the bearings.

Help, I need a solution that does not break things. More things.
Karl

 

[greaseball04]

Re: Help! I'm stuck!

Had the same fun with a 85 hp force. I had to apply alot of penetrating oil and some heat to it, not great for bearings, seals or electronics. Then used my impact on the puller just to, as my transmission mechanic says to: "give it a little juice". After a little love came right off. Sounds like you got some corrosion and possibly a cockeyed woodruff key. Be careful not to shatter or distort the flywheel.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Help! I'm stuck!

why are you pulling the flywheel??

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Help! I'm stuck!

That flywheel can be distorted by using a harmonic puller (grabbing the flywheel edges).

Carefully retap he bolt holes to some other size if need be, then reinstall the proper puller. Tighten the center spindle down as tight as you possible can get it. Now, with a large screwdriver or tool of your choice, apply upwards pressure under/to the flywheel to lift it slightly to the top of its play. At this point, get the biggest hammer that you have available and really belt the top of that pulley center spindle. The flywheel should pop right off.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Help! I'm stuck!

why are you pulling the flywheel??

He wants to replace the power pack.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Help! I'm stuck!

As usual I think Joe is right on. The other thing that comes to mind is the electric impact. I have a pretty good 1/2" electric impact and it won't put enough torque on even the OMC puller. Maybe yours is better than mine.

 

[karlow1]

Re: Help! I'm stuck!

I used the electric impact to remove the nut. My fear is that I will break something. A harmonic balancer puller screws to the balancer in two to 4 places and has a large screw in the center that pushed against the crank.
It's the right tool, the dam thing will not budge! My experiance with the electic impact is I am 1 for four! I removed one nut, and broke three bolts!
The power head looks very clean. the previous owner likes to spray things with WD40. The engine was used in salt water.

 

[karlow1]

Re: Help! I'm stuck!

I will try your hammer down method. Keep your fingers crossed.
Then I will give my Hot wrench a shot!
If not, I will finish breaking it with the Impact.
It's been tight and soaking in oil for two days now.
Somethings is got to give, my bet is the threads in the flywheel will strip.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Help! I'm stuck!

The correct screws for the puller have a shoulder. It's pretty important to tighten each one to the shoulder so they're even. Plus they're pretty strong bolts. Stronger than most other bolts.

On the other hand you may have a sheared flywheel key and the wheel has galled itself on. Easy enough to check - put #1 piston at top dead center and see if the timing pointer lines up.

 

[karlow1]

Re: Help! I'm stuck!

At idle speed the timing marks seem to be in the right location (timming light).
It may have been damaged by the misfiring. At low speed it would slow down and kind of rattle when it occured sometimes.
The bolts that I have do not have sholders, and are only grade 5.
I will drop by Lows on the way home to see if they have some good ones. Not likely, and the grade 5 ones might be stronger than the threads in the flywheel.

 

[karlow1]

Victory!

Victory!

First I check it. It's in the same condition. I back it off, Replace some washers recenter it, and crank it back down. Next, In break out the hammer. I tap tap tap all around the flywheel. Next, it's Hammer time! I break out the electric impact. You crank it down, then back it out. I repeated this about 6 of 8 times.
Next back to the crescent and brake-r-bar. Crank it down to break something tight. It's time for the pry bar. I used the starter to make sure I would tun it the correct direction. I pry between the case and the bottom of the flywheel, then rotate it about 20 degrees and repeat. After about 180 degrees bamm She pops!. It's clean, no corrosion, no bent keys, nothing
Also one of my Ebay fuel pumps show up today. Life is good!
In about a week she should be good as gold!

Thanks a bunch guys!
See ya on the water
KP