holding flywheel

[62kodiak]

This may seem old hat to some of you but I am reassembling a 62 evinrude and it states that the flywheel is supposed to be torqued to 100-105lbs. How in the world am I supposed to stop the flywheel from spinning while applying that much pressure? I have been trying but with no success. I am about ready to do the unthinkable and use a darn impact to put the thing on.

Any help would be greatly appreciated because the water is soft and I am growing impatient.

 

[PSG-1]

Take a piece of heavy battery cable, like AWG 6, and remove one of the spark plugs.

While looking down in the cylinder, advance the crankshaft by hand in the direction you want to turn the nut, until you see the piston reach TDC. Back it off just a little bit. Now, insert the end of the cable (don't worry, it won't protrude through an exhaust port, etc....this is why you bring it to TDC, and only back off a little bit).

Once you insert the end of the cable, use a little muscle to go ahead and force it in, so that it begins to coil inside the cylinder. Once you can't force it any more, it should be good to go. Then, apply the torque to tighten or loosen the nut. After doing that, you can remove the cable, you may have to turn the crankshaft in the opposite direction just a bit so the cable will be loose, and will come out.

This method works really well, I've done it many times with jet ski engines.

You can also use a rope to do it, but I like cable, as it doesn't trap dirt, and can be wiped down to remove any dirt right before putting it into the plug hole.

 

[cajuncook1]

I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with putting rope or something in the spark plug hole to stop the piston going up all the way and prevent the crankshaft from completing the revolution.

That is placing too much pressure on the wrist pins and crankshaft. I know some people do it on smaller engines, but I would not do it!!!

Get a good strap wrench (Steven's Brand if you can) and get a friend to help hold while you torque it down!!

Here is a link to Sears (pick your choice of price and durability).

https://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10153_12605?viewType=gal&vName=Tools&viewItems=50&keywordSearch=false&keyword=strap+wrench

 

[crazymanme2]

I agree with cajuncook1 which I made my own but I started out doing what PSG-1 did. =D>

 

[PSG-1]

The cable trick is OK for smaller engines, like PWC's. In some PWC repair manuals, it even suggests using the rope to lock the flywheel for removal or installation. I've seen lots of PWC mechanics use the same trick.

But the advice about stressing the wrist pins, etc, is probably true when it comes to larger engines.