Re: 1952 Johnson Seahorse RD12 25 HP – Removing Flywheel and Source for Ignition Parts

[1949-penn-yan]

MANY thanks for all of your replies:

1. Flywheel Torque: I mistakenly read 100-105 lb. ft. in my factory service manual for RD 22 series and up as 22 HP and up. Factory spec is indeed 60-65 lb ft, with thanks for catching that.

2. Removing Flywheel: "You don’t really need a strap wrench to take off the nut. The inertia in the flywheel will keep it from turning while you give the wrench a swift smack with a heavy hammer."

Ding ding ding! Thanks Gary for such an elegant, simple solution! I inserted the plugs to provide compression resistance, and gave the wrench a gentle whack with my mallet, and it loosened instantly. I then used my puller to pop the flywheel off and all looks good.

3. Ignition Diagnosis and Parts: The reason I’m doing this is that the bottom plug has no spark, and the top plug has intermittent spark. Plugs are NOS Champions (I also tried the old Champions, which were known good plugs – to rule out the new plugs). Points were cleaned and gap is correct. Everything is clean with no corrosion.

I’m prepared to throw parts and money at this, replacing both sets of points, condensers, coils and plug wires, if needed. Unless one of you has a more thoughtful approach to diagnose the faulty components. Any other suggestions for favorite parts sources (to add to Bob’s recommendations)?

Thanks, once again, in advance of your guidance.

Cheers,

John