Removing flywheel

[tashasdaddy]

PULLING FLYWHEEL

you need a harmonic balancer puller, you need 3 - #8 harden bolts, that fit the 3 holes in your flywheel. standard hardware store bolts will strip out, causing more problems. loosen the flywheel nut, leaving it on so it protects the thread. thread the bolts in 7/16 of an inch. then tighten the puller, adjust so it has a straight pull. now tighten the puller, rap the center bolt with a hammer, then tighten some more. you may have to let it sit over nite, and repeat in the morning. this is a compression fitting, it will eventually POP!!. do not loose the woodruff key that goes in the groove of the flywheel and the crank shaft. then installing the flywheel, it has to be totally clean, no oil, woodruff key in place. then torque the nut to the specifications for your particular motor. if you do not do this, the woodruff key with shear, and you will be repeating these steps.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Removing flywheel

Good candidate for the Top Secret Files maybe ??

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Removing flywheel

Yes, yes and yes! Comments: Don't forget Gr8 washers as well and don't ever pry or beat on the underside of the flywheel or use heat on flywheel.

Quick comment about reinstalling the flywheel. The flywheel nut MUST be torqued to the correct value for your motor. For motors with a geared flywheel, NAPA stores can order a KD Tools flywheel turner, which allows easy holding of the flywheel while applying a torque wrench to the nut. For small motors, a strap wrench may be used. This same tool may also be used when removing the flywheel nut. Alternatively, an air or electric impact wrench may be used for nut REMOVAL only, and no holding device is needed.

 

[Randyg123]

Re: Removing flywheel

Good candidate for the Top Secret Files maybe ??

If creating a sticky:

Don't forget to add important tips to make the job easier and to prevent damage to the flywheel. Since I just did this and used advice found here at iBoats, there were a few tips I received that were priceless. These tips made pulling the flywheel a simple task for someone who has never done it.

First tip, was how to hold the flywheel stationary while loosening and tightening the flywheel nut. I used the method of propping a 2' extension bar between a bolt in the flywheel (threads ground off as directed), the flywheel nut, and the engine 'hoist'. That proved to be quite easy.

Another tip that I found helpful was the exact size and thread of the bolt to fit the flywheel (in my case it was a 5/16-24) because the fine-thread bolt was difficult to find in #8's. The holes in my flywheel were already partially stripped because someone previously did not bother to determine the proper thread. i do not know how many variations to the bolt size there would be but if these can be identified for year and model, that would be great for those that follow. The same is true for the flywheel nut as most people probably do not have a 1-5/16" socket. At least I didn't ;-)

I rented (for free) a full-spectrum harmonic balancer and pulley puller kit from an auto parts store. This kit included SAE and metric bolts but no 5/16-24.

 

[And-Con]

Re: Removing flywheel

similar complaints, but just a heads up i used a harmonic balancer puller, but next time would find an actual flywheel puller, it bent and i was concerned about breaking it. that being said this site was and has been amazing

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Removing flywheel

thanks for the comments, yes, i have bent the center bolt, before, it has taken a week for some flywheels to decide to pop. but for the cost difference, the harmonic puller does the job.

the purpose of this, was to go into the top secret file.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Removing flywheel

Just want to reinforce that "patience is a virtue" when removing flywheels. Some have taken days and even weeks to remove but they all come off in the end.

 

[jay mendoza]

Re: Removing flywheel

Couple of tricks for stubborn flywheels:

1. If it won't pop off using the puller, get some PB Blaster, Liquid Wrench, WD-40, or good old penetrating oil and apply it to the end of the crank, letting it soak into the flywheel. Now with the puller on, and the puller bolt tightened, rap the puller bolt to set up vibrations to help the oil penetrate, repeat every 5 minutes or so. Let it sit for a couple hours, or overnight, then try again with the puller.

2. If it's still stuck on there try using an air impact gun on the puller bolt, this will normally pop the toughest flywheel loose.

3. If it's a small engine, you can have someone hold the edges of the flywheel, lifting the engine, while you smartly smack the end of the puller bolt with a 4 pound drilling sledge, and the flywheel will usually pop, be sure the nut is on so the engine does not drop away as it comes off!