tightening flywheel

tbird175

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 15, 2008
Messages
253
I do not have a flywheel holder to hold my 175 hp blackmax flywheel while tightening to the proper torque. I have been told by some marine mechanics that the easy way is to insert some cotton rope through the spark plug hole with the piston on the upward stroke to lock the piston down. Is this a safe procedure?
 

Crazyman1225

Seaman
Joined
Apr 7, 2010
Messages
72
Re: tightening flywheel

It can be done, but will take a few minutes to insert enough rope to act as a stop. You will have to insert the rope, rotate the engine to compress it and then add more. Simple advice, if you are going to be doing your own engine overhauls, just invest in a fly wheel holder. It will be more accurate and worth the money( plus peace of mind) knowing that the nut is torqued correctly, won't it?
 

bktheking

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 29, 2008
Messages
5,057
Re: tightening flywheel

Get a holder, not worth the risk of bending a rod over a $20 tool.
 

sschefer

Rear Admiral
Joined
Nov 13, 2008
Messages
4,530
Re: tightening flywheel

Home depot. They're in the plumbing dept. Rigid makes them. You cut the strap off and put a piece of strapping from an old ratchet tie down on it instead. You just need to make it longer than the one that comes with it.

I could just tell you to put a block of wood between the prop and cav plate and put it in forward gear to lock it up but for sure that would cause someone on here a heart attack so I won't tell you that's what I've been doing.
 

James R

Commander
Joined
Feb 1, 2007
Messages
2,679
Re: tightening flywheel

Always used my air impact gun against the compression and never had a problem on any motor. Maybe my set up is just good.
 

bktheking

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 29, 2008
Messages
5,057
Re: tightening flywheel

Always used my air impact gun against the compression and never had a problem on any motor. Maybe my set up is just good.

That's all I ever do, haven't lost a flywheel yet LOL
 
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