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Over the last couple of months, we have been building
our toolboxes for the track and the tech barn. Although many of
the tools are very general and self-explanatory, there are a few
that require further explanation on their application and use. This
month, we will dig into and explain a few of these specialty tools.
The flywheel tools can be a bit overwhelming if you
have never used them before, but in reality, once explained, they
are very simple to use. The tools necessary vary whether you
have an Animal engine or a flathead, so we will cover each one
separately.
Let’s remove the Animal flywheel. The needed tools are;
the flywheel holder, the socket to fit the flywheel nut, a long pull
handle, flywheel knocker, and a good size hammer. Take a 10 mm
socket and remove the fan from the flywheel. Insert the flywheel
holder into two of the pilot holes for the fan and
locate the holder on the
left side of the engine. The
holder will rest against the
bench, and keep the flywheel from turning as we
loosen the flywheel nut in
a counter-clockwise direction. Before going any further, lubricate the exposed
threads on the end of the
crankshaft. Dirt, moisture
and other factors usually
have the threads a bit rusty
and dirty, and as fragile as
cast iron threads are, lubrication will lessen the possibility of damaging the
threads. Take the long pull
bar, mine is a 15”, and a 15/16 socket, and remove the flywheel
nut. To be more specific, the Animal is a metric fastener engine,
and a 24 mm socket is actually correct, but either will work. It
is also worth noting to use a 6-point socket. This will lessen the
possibility of rounding the nut.
Once the nut is removed, take the flywheel knocker and
screw it all the way up on the crankshaft until it makes contact
with the flywheel. Loosen the knocker about ½ to ¾ turn, and
strike solidly with a 16oz or larger hammer. One or two blows
should be all it takes to have the flywheel loose from the taper on
the crankshaft. Remove the knocker and the flywheel will come
right off. I do not recommend using the flywheel nut as a knocker
and striking it. As stated above, cast iron threads are somewhat
delicate, and the nut only has contact with a small number of
threads, and heavy blows can damage the threads beyond repair.
To re-install the flywheel, simply reverse the steps above
after inserting the flywheel key. Keep in mind however, that timing is a very critical part of the engine setup, and if you choose
to do this yourself, performance may suffer. Always contact the
engine builder before taking on this step.
Let’s move to the flathead flywheel. The flathead requires a cradle type holder to hold the flywheel. This locates on
the two largest fins, one on each side of the aluminum section that
holds the magnet. Gently bump the holder onto the fins to give a
positive hold for the flywheel, we cannot damage the fins. If you
have a starter clutch on the engine, place the starter clutch tool
onto the rachet, and use your long pull handle and a 7/8 socket in
a counter-clockwise direction to remove the starter clutch. If you
have a starter nut in place of the rachet, use a 15/16 6-point socket
to remove it. Remove the holder from the flywheel. Now we can
complete the job of removing the flywheel. The flywheel knocker
for the flathead differs from the Animal in appearance and use.
This one simply slides up onto the pilot for the starter clutch,
and has a brass insert inside to protect the end of the crankshaft.
Sometimes, it may be necessary to file the very end of the crank
to get the knocker onto it. Once it slides onto the crank freely,
simply strike the end of the knocker with your hammer, and with
just a couple of shots, and the flywheel should be loose and ready
to remove.
I want to add a few additional notes. Never strike the
crankshaft of any engine with a hammer, if you don’t have the proper tools, try and borrow them, and if that is not possible, consult
wheel with the hammer. This is the absolute worst thing you can
do, especially on the cast iron ones for the flathead. Striking it can
damage, and crack the flywheel, and I don’t have to tell you what
happens next. Main thing, use good judgment, and don’t be afraid
to ask for help if you need it.
the tech official or an available engine builder. You can do a lot of
damage if this is not done properly. Worst case, use a piece of a brass
bar to absorb some of the impact and protect your engine and its
components. While on the subject of never; never, never hit the fly-