Sheared flywheel key

[chilly1]

Hey, all. I am still working on my 1971 55 hp 557 hc and I have a couple of questions. I did not torque the flywheel nut and I broke the key. I replaced it, and now I want to torque it correctly. Can I use a piece of rope in the spark plug hole to hold the crankshaft still? Also, 95 ft/lbs?! That's a lot. My manual says 80, and that is more than I can hold by hand with a torque ratchet. Will I hurt anything doing it this way?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Sheared flywheel key

My bad! I was thinking about a three cylinder engine which takes about 90 foot pounds. Chalk it up to late nights and Alzheimers. Yours is supposed to be 80 foot pounds.

You can pack rope into the cylinder but it is going to compress some and make it difficult to get a good reading. Then nyou need to worry about getting any frayed fibers out. I always use a tire iron or crowbar wedged between a boss on the block and the flywheel teeth. The best way would be to use a strap wrench around the flywheel while you torque the bolt.

 

[chilly1]

Re: Sheared flywheel key

Thanks. I was worried I would hurt the piston or something.