Emails & Promotions

The Racer's Toolbox...Put To Use

by Jimmy Rivers in Maintenance & Repair
Originally published in Chase'n Race'n Illustrated Volume 5 Issue 7

Last month we showed how to remove the flywheel from both the Animal and flathead engine. This month, we want to dig a bit deeper into this subject. We will illustrate with more detailed images, the proper way to remove the flywheels from both of these engines.

We will begin with the flathead engine. Locate the flywheel holder onto the two thickest fins. These are the ones on each side of the aluminum area that holds the magnet. Use the starter clutch tool, or a 15/16 socket if necessary, and with your pull handle, remove the clutch nut, also known as the starter nut.

Once removed, slide the knocker onto the end of the crank. Strike a couple solid blows, and the flywheel should be loose and ready for removal. Remember, don’t ever strike the flywheel with a hammer, this can damage or even crack it. If your engine has the crankshaft cutoff at the end of the threads, you need a thread-on knocker to break the flywheel loose.

On the Animal engine, first remove the plastic fan from the flywheel with a 10 mm socket. You will notice four 3/8 holes that are about 3/8 deep on the face of the flywheel. Insert the flywheel holder into two of these holes to stabilize the flywheel. Using a 15/16 or 24 mm socket on your pull handle, remove the flywheel nut. Take a threaded knocker and screw it all the way onto the crankshaft. Once contact is made, loosen the knocker about ½ to ¾ turn, and strike solidly with a hammer, and your flywheel should be free.

Just a couple things to remember; like stated above, don’t ever strike the flywheel with a hammer. Damage can be done that is not immediately seen, but will certainly have an adverse affect on the performance of the engine. Be very careful not to damage the threads on the crankshaft which is made of cast iron. Cast iron threads are very fragile. Always use a knocker, and avoid striking the starter nut. The nut only makes contact with a small number of threads, and striking the nut as opposed to the knocker, can tear out the threads, and ruin the crankshaft. Always lubricate exposed threads before removing the nut; this will also help insure the quality of the threads.

See you again next month!