Subject: Vmax Flywheel-OFF!

 Ka-plunk! The flywheel is in the floor!!
After calling (whining) to John Gainey at PCW, he convinced me to get a
thicker puller, and a hammer. So, off to AutoZone & the loan-a-tool program to
get a puller. Sure enough this one is beefier than the puller I had that bent
& cracked. Got some new grade 8.8 bolts, thick steel washers, & mounted it up.
Turned the air pressure on the regulator WFO to 145psi. Put on the impact &
cranked on it till it wouldn't turn any more. Got out the 3 lb. hammer
and...tap...tap...tap-Ka-Plunk, it popped off onto the nice piece of shag
carpet awaiting it's arrival. Whew, what a pain in the arse after 3 freakin
days! 
 Turns out that the starter clutch hub bolts were loose causing my starting
problems. Go figure, flywheel on too tight, hub bolts too loose. What the hell
ever happened to quality control?
 OK, I'm done venting for now,
Rusty Morgan #226
'93 1500 TorqueMax

---------------------

Subject: Re: Flywheel removal
Message-ID: <37FCC95E.485487B@sayegh.org>

TC wrote:

> Yes ... you are correct ... I don't know what Vern can do short of
> keeping the puller torqued down ...

I guarantee removal.  I have taken off very similar watercraft flywheels
for 25 successful years and they "weld" themselves on!.  This has NEVER
FAILED.  Install the puller and tighten to max torque with an air impact
wrench.  With a #1 oxyacetylene torch tip, aim the flame on the flywheel
taper portion that surrounds the crankshaft.  Be careful, it will expand
and pop off within 5 seconds and most lightly launch a few feet if it's
that tight. Best to leave the nut on loosely if possible to prevent this.
Never hit the puller with a hammer, it shocks all the internal motor
parts.  The torch will do no damage because it will absorb the heat very
quickly, just don't aim it at one spot for over a few seconds.  Don't hold
your flame far away either because you need it to expand quickly (faster
than the crankshaft).
.............................................
Paul Sayegh

-----------------------------

> I guarantee removal.  ...With a #1 oxyacetylene
torch tip, .

I agree, but some people are afraid to use heat on the
Max flywheel because of the pickup magnets. If you
heat any magnetic property to over 400 F bye-bye
magnetism.  This might be a problem with the
application of heat from a propane torch. The flame is
not hot and focused enough.  You end up heating
everything together. The hotter concentrated flame of
the oxyacetylene, if used properly, allows you to heat
the centre without overheating the rest...

----------------

If it is done properly as I said you can hold the flywheel in your hands
afterwards and the magnets won't even be warm.  With an oxyacetylene
torch it pops off so fast that the rest of the flywheel doesn't even get
hot.  Never aim the flame at the magnets.  The magnets can be recharged
at a good magneto shop if ever need be.
--
................................................................
Paul Sayegh