Stuck Flywheel !!!

[splitshot]

Ok i'm trying to get the flywheel off of a 1979 150 GT...got the nut off no problem but the flywheel on the other hand is a different story...i have a harmonic balancer on it with grade 8 3/8 " bolts after the 5/16 bolts stripped it has had WD40 on it for about 24 hrs now...i tightened the harmonic puller with an impact but the flywheel didnt pop loose (they usually do)

Upon further inspection i see previous owner or mechanic gobbed loc tite all around the flywheel nut and under...so i got my breaker bar and i have tightened it as tight as i can even with a cheater bar (this thing aint going no tighter) the impact wont budge it at all (have tried hitting the top of the puller with no success) ...my question is why the heck is this thing so tight ?? i know its a tapered fit but come on !!! i'm leaving the pressure on it over night maybe it will be popped loose in the morning (maybe the flywheel fairy will help...lol ) if not i guess i'll have to heat it or find a way to cut it off...

 

[F_R]

Re: Stuck Flywheel !!!

You answered your own question: Some nummy put Locktite on it. It may never come off.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Stuck Flywheel !!!

You're getting into the "need heat" zone now. Of course that may let the center hub magnet come loose on the flywheel and mess up some electrical stuff. Be careful....

 

[Rick.]

Re: Stuck Flywheel !!!

Be patient. Forget about penetrating oil. Try to soak it with laquer thinner. Keep the tension on it and give a hit or two every now and then. I wouldn't go to heat for a few days unless your in a real hurry. Keep that nut on a few turns so you don't have to go searching for it if it pops in the night. I had a similar situation with my 9.9 . Someone used loctite or who knows what on it. Took a few days of soaking but it did pop lose. Make sure you clean it spotlessly and use nothing on it when reinstalling it. Best of luck. Rick.

 

[turtles11756]

Re: Stuck Flywheel !!!

tighten down back it off tighten down again and repeat .worked on mine minus the lock tight

 

[jonesg]

Re: Stuck Flywheel !!!

When all else fails , heat will break down the loctite, gentle heat.

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: Stuck Flywheel !!!

to dissolve the loctite,, apply some methyl Ethel ketone peroxide around the area,, commonly known as hardener for fiberglass resin.
You may also need to drill the key,, remove the nut and use a small titanium drill bit, smaller that the with of the key so you don't drill the grove,, go down the KEY only, this has worked many times,, when the flywheel does come off you will need to replace the key but that is really inexpensive.

 

[fixmyevinrude]

Re: Stuck Flywheel !!!

To those of us who feel we must use loctite. Try the BLUE LOCTITE. I believe it is Loctite 242. It is removable and works just as well in most cases.
Just a thought for everyone reading this Thread.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Stuck Flywheel !!!

The flywheel bore and crank taper should ALWAYS be clean and dry ... never use anything on them when assembling. Forget Loctite! BTW, MEK is NOT used as hardener ... it is a pretty good paint remover, however.

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: Stuck Flywheel !!!

m.e.k. is a solvent,, I said" m.e.k.p. " big difference, however,, m.e.k. would work if it didn't evaporate so fast.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Stuck Flywheel !!!

My mistake about MEKP ... missed the "P". The rest is correct about assembling only dry.

 

[cfauvel]

Re: Stuck Flywheel !!!

ick

My came off with a constant pressure on the puller and a few gentle taps with the hammer from underneeth.

let us know how you make out...don't leave us in suspense.

 

[splitshot]

Re: Stuck Flywheel !!!

Well i got it off it was a PAIN !!!! i tried to tighten the puller it wouldnt go no more...so then i heated it but was careful of the electronics..tried to hit the puller and turn it but nothing finally i got mad enough and took a 10# sledge hammer and beat it off come to find out on the crank, where it tapers was buggered up pretty good i think beating it off was the only was it was going to come off...

Upon tearing into the motor when i "split the cases" i found the top half of the motor has had water in it ...there was pretty good rust and 2 pistons are still stuck in the cylinders...i got the rest of them out...funny thing is the bottom 2 cylinders,pistons,rods,and bearings were flawless they were perfect...so my question is what are some ways water could get in the top 4 and get all over the crank and rods so bad but not really the pistons ?? all the bolts on the power head were good no rusted ones so i dont think it was submerged under water...

the guy i bought it from said he ran it one day went out the next time and it was locked up..i know i know classic story anyways Just wanted to say thanks for the help on the flywheel...

 

[jonesg]

Re: Stuck Flywheel !!!

Maybe the woodruf key previously snapped and spun on the crankshaft and that screwed up the taper.

Who knows but its possible he got water n the cylinders and it sat, water leaked onto the crank , down the rods as engine was tilted or layed flat and stored. Was it the head gasket?

 

[splitshot]

Re: Stuck Flywheel !!!

havent checked the head gasket yet i will tomorrow

 

[splitshot]

Re: Stuck Flywheel !!!

Well i got it all apart today (the 2 stuck rods) the head gaskets looked ok so i dont know how it happened but here are some pics this is straight out of the block no cleaning

looks like a brand new crank

not so much

i'm guessing wore out key and flywheel beating around did this

now for a stupid question i cleaned the crank with degreaser and hot water and most of the rust actually came off (most was surface rust) the bearing journal for number 1 rod has 1 spot that barely catches your finger nail...but where the flywheel beat the taper up i dont know if it can be fixed...is it worth taking to a machine shop or will they laugh me out of the door ?? also why was the lower portion of the crank polished to a mirror finish ?? i could see myself in it thanks Jason

 

[klze]

Re: Stuck Flywheel !!!

lets get some answers going guys.
I'm doing the exact same steps as described in this thread.

and would like to know the best way to clean rusted crank.
and how would you know when a rusted crank is in reusable condition??

thanks...

 

[jonesg]

Re: Stuck Flywheel !!!

lap it til theres no rust evident, then measure it , maybe its still in spec.

If its pitted its shot, you can't buff pits out.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Stuck Flywheel !!!

... and if the hub bottoms out, you've got a big, ugly paperweight. Use fine lapping compound and don't be too aggressive with the rotation.

 

[klze]

Re: Stuck Flywheel !!!

so your saying that i should polish it with lap compound and make sure its smooth and perfect?

but where is more important part of the crank?