Reply To: Unsticking a stuck flywheel

[Bob Wight]

A harmonic balancer puller often works OK but when it comes to the stubborn ones, nothing beats the OMC factory flywheel puller, part no. 378103. If you use the balancer puller, you need to use Grade 8 bolts and washers. First step now will be to re-tap the one stripped hole. Be sure you leave the flywheel nut loose on the flywheel so you don’t booger up the crank threads when you put maximum tension on the puller. And when you rap on the center bolt on the puller, pry upward on the outside edge of the flywheel and give the center bolt a good quick sharp rap, not just a light tap and not like you swinging for the fences with a 10 lb. sledge. It’s the shock associated with the sharp rap that breaks it loose. A little heat on the hub area is not going to hurt anything. Finally, some wheels are just really stuck and it might take a few days to eventually work it loose.

Bob

1937 Champion D2C Deluxe Lite Twin
1954 Johnson CD-11
1955 Johnson QD-16
1957 Evinrude Fastwin 18
1957 Evinrude 3022
1958 Johnson QD-19
1958 Johnson FD-12
1959 Johnson QD-20
1982 Evinrude 25hp

“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."