A-35 Flywheel Removal

[The Boat House]

The motor came to me that way. I took off the
flywheel and there it was. The shrapnel was gone.
Most likely the result of a loose flywheel.
If in a pinch I suppose I could use it. Its a pretty
common part as well, so I found a replacement.
Possibly your motor had a similar experience.
Operator noticed the flywheel was loose and
tightened it not knowing there was damage. When
you turn the flywheel does it run true or have a
wobble? Another possibility is someone packed
1 cylinder with rope and then used a 24″ braker
bar to tighten the nut. Just speculation but
something occurred that has this flywheel on
tighter than it needed to be. Those of us who have
responded offer our experience , or an opinion
based on our experience. You then need to
determine what seems to be the best approach in
your situation. For me your decision the cut of the
flywheel would be premature. I would be taking
a regular framing (claw) hammer, checking the
tool to see that its tight, and then smacking it as
hard I as I could. I would repeat this till I was
convinced it wasn’t going to work. That’s what
I would do based on what you have posted. If I
was there to see just what you have experienced
or had the motor myself, my approach may be
different. In the end the decision will be yours.
How it turns out will be the experience you will
be able to offer to someone in the future that is
having this same problem.
Tubs

[T….in Wisconsin]

Good advice,

Probably be best to put this project on hold and review all the information and options given. I appreciate all the information offered. I take full responsibility of any outcome that occurs from my chosen course of action.

Flywheel on mine spins freely without wobble or any sign of interference. I used a cordless drill to turn the flywheel to check for spark.  Motor is what I consider to be in better shape than most other non restored motors I’ve seen. That said, some action deliberate or not has occurred for the flywheel to be this tight.

Thanks Tubbs

[joecb]

Good call on the hammer, Tubs. I wonder how big of a hammer Tim is using. One has to impart sufficient energy to do the job. My go to hammer for this operation is a 2 – 1/2 pound brass hammer.  Tap – tap will not do it, nor will a fast swing with a lightweight hammer.

Joe B

[Buccaneer]

I’m guessing there’s at least ten people reading this thread
wishing they could take a “Whack” at it…… literally!

Prepare to be boarded!

[stanley]

Buc you are absolutely right,I’d buy a ticket and stand in line to take a turn at trying to removing that flywheel.

[T….in Wisconsin]

Good bunch of guys you all are!

I’m using a 2.5 lb mini sledge and I’ve struck it with what I consider a good whack, F=MA. I could take a video for analysis but I don’t think those files are accepted.

Stop over. I’m in southern Wisconsin, a stones throw from Lake Ripley. Stomping grounds of young Ole Evinrude.

 

[T….in Wisconsin]

Attempt to attach link to a video file. Not sure this will work but here goes.

[bobw]

I once had a flywheel on a 1950s vintage Johnson that was stuck tighter than Fort Knox.   A couple days with the puller under big tension and striking the center bolt of the puller and it wouldn’t budge.   Figuring I had nothing to lose, I took a dead blow hammer and whacked around the outside edge of the flywheel – it popped loose after a few shots.  Don’t know if that would work for you but I might try that before cutting the flywheel apart.

Bob

1937 Champion D2C Deluxe Lite Twin
1954 Johnson CD-11
1957 Evinrude Fastwin 18
1958 Johnson QD-19
1958 Johnson FD-12
1959 Johnson QD-20

“Every 20 minute job is only a broken bolt away from a 3-day project.”
"Every time you remove a broken or seized bolt an angel gets his wings."

[jeff-register]

If I may ask why not use the three threaded holes & a harmonic balance puller? I’ve always used that method not tightening too much & tapping on the puller bolt?

Mercury flywheels are the hardest to remove. Hung the motor by a tree branch with a chain thru the puller & hammer on the puller bolt. I’m leary of using heat & messing up the temper in the metal. I’m not sure how it will take, just me.

[joecb]

Where is Tim? did we ever hear if he was successful in removing the flywheel from his A 35 ? We all had a lot on mental energy invested in the project, he had a lot of physical energy invested.

Joe B

[Author]

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