Single Handed Flywheel Removal
Moderators: John@sos, charlesp, Charles uk, RickUK, Petergalileo
Single Handed Flywheel Removal
The manuals, and the experts here, all warn against using any type of wheel puller to remove the flywheel.
They suggest finding a second pair of hands to hold the motor by clasping the flywheel between them.
I've come up with another method for those of us who have no willing friends.
I purchased a strap clamp:
I removed about 5 feet of the nylon strap, and set it aside.
I attached the remainder of the clamp around the flywheel:
Then I placed the other piece of strap under the installed loop:
I tightened the strapping clamp as tight as possible, and tied the other strap to it, double knotting the tie.
I installed a C clamp on the floor joist in my basement workshop, and hung a second C clamp from it, to make a hook:
Then, I hung the Seagull by the strap from the overhead hook:
I remembered to park the piston in the proper position prior to installing the straps. Now I held the motor by the downtube, and gave it a sharp rap on the pulley nut. Two blows and it was free.
They suggest finding a second pair of hands to hold the motor by clasping the flywheel between them.
I've come up with another method for those of us who have no willing friends.
I purchased a strap clamp:
I removed about 5 feet of the nylon strap, and set it aside.
I attached the remainder of the clamp around the flywheel:
Then I placed the other piece of strap under the installed loop:
I tightened the strapping clamp as tight as possible, and tied the other strap to it, double knotting the tie.
I installed a C clamp on the floor joist in my basement workshop, and hung a second C clamp from it, to make a hook:
Then, I hung the Seagull by the strap from the overhead hook:
I remembered to park the piston in the proper position prior to installing the straps. Now I held the motor by the downtube, and gave it a sharp rap on the pulley nut. Two blows and it was free.
Re: Single Handed Flywheel Removal
Thanks for a very handy tip. I have to get the wife to help, always fought with danger.
Or extra gardening
Or extra gardening
TC - 1960 LLS - 1961 LLS - 1966 THCL - 1968 EFNRL - 1986
- Niander101
- Posts: 1060
- Joined: Sun Nov 20, 2011 11:30 am
- Location: Yorkshire
Re: Single Handed Flywheel Removal
I still don't understand why it matters about the piston position
Re: Single Handed Flywheel Removal
I agree, there is clearance in whatever position the crankshaft is that can cause distortion.Niander101 wrote:I still don't understand why it matters about the piston position
Re: Single Handed Flywheel Removal
If it's not on extremely tight, back off flywheel nut a few turns, grab just above L/U, and using the motor's weight, gently drop on a hard even surface like concrete or steel. Works quite well. If it does not come off easily go to another method.
Also may not be advisable if you are a person who cannot hit things squarely.
Also may not be advisable if you are a person who cannot hit things squarely.
Re: Single Handed Flywheel Removal
I don't either, but it is pointed out so often, by far smarter people than me, that I mindlessly obey.Niander101 wrote:I still don't understand why it matters about the piston position
Re: Single Handed Flywheel Removal
I do similar - but my holder is a split wooden form - bolted together around the flywheel.
Rather than suspended it sits on top two 2x2 just higher than the motor.
This works well first time - as you can really let loose with the hammer. Its made for longshaft but one can pack out under the prop to leave a small drop gap - maybe 1" or so.
Geoff
Rather than suspended it sits on top two 2x2 just higher than the motor.
This works well first time - as you can really let loose with the hammer. Its made for longshaft but one can pack out under the prop to leave a small drop gap - maybe 1" or so.
Geoff
- Stelios_Rjk
- Posts: 1458
- Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2012 10:15 pm
- Location: Athens - Greece
- Niander101
- Posts: 1060
- Joined: Sun Nov 20, 2011 11:30 am
- Location: Yorkshire
Re: Single Handed Flywheel Removal
They got brains
-
- Posts: 2484
- Joined: Thu Apr 04, 2013 2:26 pm
- Location: bristol
Re: Single Handed Flywheel Removal
The idea of making sure the piston is at BDC (furthest away from the spark plug) is that you minimise the risk of bending or distorting the crankshaft out of shape whilst hitting downwards on the flywheel nut. (all in the manual, get one if you dont already have one)
However, all this is useless if your engine is seized solid! (just get a bigger hammer )
Some taper fit joints can be very difficult to budge, as is the case with seagull flywheels that havn't been removed in ages.
Rust/corrosion only adds to the problems.
jon
However, all this is useless if your engine is seized solid! (just get a bigger hammer )
Some taper fit joints can be very difficult to budge, as is the case with seagull flywheels that havn't been removed in ages.
Rust/corrosion only adds to the problems.
jon
- Collector Inspector
- Posts: 4183
- Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2008 4:32 am
- Location: Perth Western Australia
- Contact:
Re: Single Handed Flywheel Removal
Yep sometimes they do NOT come off at all.
I have an SD with one of them wee buggers. Got the correct puller from SOS which worked for the other two not a problem.
I now have a stripped puller thread (Not the Flywheel thread so I should claim a warranty aye) after enough effort with heat (To melt the Sun and any useable ignition within as well as enough Lubricant to see any stuck sky hook undone) it still defies me.
It will not budge a mm. No way Jose.
Been at this for maybe 6 years now? Now what do I say about patience....................Mute.
Hugo knows the one as I send pics of the piston emerging from a naturally degrading block from time to time.............it is an Aussie thing that we do.
Not to mention the T.S.D. Pup example which is a right pain in the proverbial................
B
I have an SD with one of them wee buggers. Got the correct puller from SOS which worked for the other two not a problem.
I now have a stripped puller thread (Not the Flywheel thread so I should claim a warranty aye) after enough effort with heat (To melt the Sun and any useable ignition within as well as enough Lubricant to see any stuck sky hook undone) it still defies me.
It will not budge a mm. No way Jose.
Been at this for maybe 6 years now? Now what do I say about patience....................Mute.
Hugo knows the one as I send pics of the piston emerging from a naturally degrading block from time to time.............it is an Aussie thing that we do.
Not to mention the T.S.D. Pup example which is a right pain in the proverbial................
B
A chicken is one egg's way of becoming others
Re: Single Handed Flywheel Removal
I had the opposite on an SD where I took off the nut and in moving the motor with the flywheel sloping down it fell off!
-
- Posts: 2484
- Joined: Thu Apr 04, 2013 2:26 pm
- Location: bristol
Re: Single Handed Flywheel Removal
Anybody tried a small ball bearing in between the top of the crankshaft and the underside of the flywheel nut???
This method applies more direct force to the crankshaft instead of being dissipated through the thread (which if you're not careful will get stripped and cause even more headaches)
heat, soak repeat,heat,soak repeat. once in a while give it a GOOD HEFTY WACK from a big hammer. (as long as you can hit the nut square on and are accurate with your hammer blows, sooner or later it'll let go)
I've only once needed any assistance to remove a flywheel. I'd guess i was just lucky!
jon
This method applies more direct force to the crankshaft instead of being dissipated through the thread (which if you're not careful will get stripped and cause even more headaches)
heat, soak repeat,heat,soak repeat. once in a while give it a GOOD HEFTY WACK from a big hammer. (as long as you can hit the nut square on and are accurate with your hammer blows, sooner or later it'll let go)
I've only once needed any assistance to remove a flywheel. I'd guess i was just lucky!
jon
Re: Single Handed Flywheel Removal
Yes, a ball bearing between the nut and the crankshaft is the technique that I adopt. The ball fits neatly in the machined centre and ensures that the shock load is applied directly onto the end of the crankshaft.
With the older small 40 series with the Villiers ignition it is possible to hold the flywheel through the big apertures with one hand and do the bashing with a hammer onto the (slave) nut with the other hand.
I knew that there must be an advantage somewhere with these small old ones!
Jeremy
With the older small 40 series with the Villiers ignition it is possible to hold the flywheel through the big apertures with one hand and do the bashing with a hammer onto the (slave) nut with the other hand.
I knew that there must be an advantage somewhere with these small old ones!
Jeremy
-
- Posts: 758
- Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2014 7:58 am
- Location: Tasmania, Australia
Re: Single Handed Flywheel Removal
Now there is a good tip , use a "slave" nut to spare flattening the original. Most of the nuts that I have have been flattened sometime in their life.
AJ
AJ