Can you change a flywheel...
 

Looks like the new high torque starter did not fix the grinding noise when starting. I even tried shims and it didn't work. I remember some slight grinding noise before the rebuild, but it seems worse than ever now.

Is it possible to change the fly wheel out without removing the whole engine? I know that I can loosen up the engine mounts and take out the bolt that holds the bell housing in place on the transom plate. Then jack the engine up on one side with a small floor jack.

I had to do this when installing the engine because I had the drive shaft from the Stellings extension box catch on the corner of the flywheel cover.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
shawn

Re: Can you change a flywheel...
 

Does your new starter have the same number of teeth on the pinion as the old one?

Bad ring gear can be replaced at many auto machine shops.

In my case easiest way to do that job would be to lift engine with hoist and move forward a foot, then I can remove bell housing and flywheel.

Of course I would have to remove drive first, don't know how it would work with a stellings. Try the easy way first then go from there.

Look for signs of wear inside the bellhousing from a loose coupler bolt etc. Mine had 1 thick washer under a coupler bolt when I bought it, the rubbing noise drove me crazy.

Re: Can you change a flywheel...
 

I did it but I had to move the motor forward about 3-6"

Re: Can you change a flywheel...
 

How many teeth does the standard mercruiser starter have on it?

I did not think about that one. The previous engine builder had put a high torque starter in place of the old one so I don't know. I just replaced the high torque with another one.

Re: Can you change a flywheel...
 

I pulled a coupler out without removing the engine from the boat by pulling the engine forward. The flywheel wouldn't have been much more work. It is a real pain though.

Rene

Re: Can you change a flywheel...
 

you can install a new ring gear without even removing the fly wheel from the starter if its the rear mounted starter type. just take an oxy acet torch and heat the ring gear til it glows red and tap it with a hammer it will fall right off, heat the new gear red hot and drop it onto the flywheel and tap it once or twice to seat it, work fast when installing the new gear as it will cool quickly. good luck , rm

Re: Can you change a flywheel...
 

Its mounted the old style in two holes on the lower side of the engine. I can pull the starter without any big issues. I did some rewiring so all I have the starter wire and the ignition wire on it now.

I was hoping just to jack the engine up on one side and slide the fly wheel cover out of the way to get to the fly wheel bolts. From the board it doesn't sound like I'm going to be able to do this. :(

I'll do some further checks this afternoon to see what I come up with.

Thanks for the input guys. :D

Re: Can you change a flywheel...
 

How do you know when a flywheel is bad beside some gringing noise. What other symptoms are there?? Also, does anyone know the ocst of one of these?

Thanks

Re: Can you change a flywheel...
 

Flywheel not likely to be bad, ring gear is mounted on outer edge of flywheel and can be changed, less than $50 installed on flywheel, it is important to get it on straight, you can change on motor like RatMan said if you know what you are doing.

Re: Can you change a flywheel...
 

I just bought a new 168 tooth ring gear yesterday. It cost me $60 and change, from chevy dealer. PART# 460583. The list price is around $77.
On another note........ I have heard more than a few times that when changing to the high torque starter, there were issues with getting them shimmed correctly. I have found that that task is better done on a test stand, where you can blue the teeth to check the contact points between the starter and the ring gear. Not a quick fix at all! .02 Good luck.....

Re: Can you change a flywheel...
 

$18 at NAPA part number BK6003015 for 168 tooth.

There are instructions on shimming with the new starter (or there should be) :D basically with the starter pinion engaged with the flywheel gear you should be able to put a pin the thickness of a standard paperclip between the edge of the starter gear tooth and the bottom of the flywheel gear notch (snug fit there is perfect)

do not do this with battery cable connected as the starter will power up when you lever the pinion forward :eek:

Re: Can you change a flywheel...
 

I have to change a ring gear this winter, had a little mistake.. I just hope I can make it another month and a half... :rolleyes:

Re: Can you change a flywheel...
 

Now I know what you guys are talking about. I didn't know there were 2 piececs to it. How do you go about getting it off if you have removed the flywheel from the engine??

This has been some great info from you guys!! Thanks a bunch!! :D

Re: Can you change a flywheel...
 

LMFAO :D

Re: Can you change a flywheel...
 

Many garages and auto machine shops as well as starter repair shops can do this.

Or you can heta up the ring gear with a torch and do it yourself (probably better if you dont do it in the boat though :drink: )

Re: Can you change a flywheel...
 

Have you put a dial indicator on the bell housing ? If not,the bell housing to flywheel alignment can cause starter gear misalignment.

Some engine block/bell housing/flywheel combinations require offset locating dowels.The offset dowels replace the straight existing dowels,in the engine block.

If the components mentioned are not centered,the transmission input shaft is out of alignment and probably the starter is also.

After the bell housing is dialed in,the bell housing stater bore location should be verified.

When everything is lined up, a pretty rough set of teeth will mesh.

Re: Can you change a flywheel...
 

I left out some info. Its a 1996 Bravo 1 setup on a Gen 6 motor. :D

Thanks everyone. I have some insight on this repair!

Re: Can you change a flywheel...
 

You should do a visual inspection of your ring gear before starting any of your work. Pull the starter and check the teeth for unusual wear or damage. Use mirrors or whetever you can to put eyes on the gear.

Rene