I just finished reading a couple of threads re: how great the OMC puller is for removing a flywheel that is as stubborn as the one is on my ’66 Ski Twin. Before I spend extra time and $ on an OMC puller, I’d like to know if anyone had better luck removing their flywheel using the OMC tool vs the one that Harbor Freight sells. I have been soaking the flywheel/crank interface with penetrating oil for several days while the puller bolt is under considerable pressure (administered by an impact gun) in addition to whacking the puller bolt a few times and heating the interface with a Bernzomatic until its hot to the touch.
Will the OMC puller really do any better?
What you sometimes need on the big crank motors like the one you have, is leverage on the wrench you have on the center puller bolt. I had to put a long 4′ piece of fence pipe on my wrench I had on the center bolt once to get one to crack.
I used mine daily for over 20 years and occasionally for 30 more. I’ve never resorted to penetrating oil or heat. Or waited overnight or days. A guy working in the shop by the hour can’t be taking that long to get a dumb flywheel off.
Disclaimer: Well then there was the one where some idiot put locktite on the tapers. I think I had to cut that one off.
I wedged a piece of wood between the flywheel teeth and the lifting eye so it wouldn’t turn using a 3′ pipe on a breaker bar. I left it under considerable pressure for about 48 hrs now.
Man, I HOPE the last guy that installed it didn’t use Loc-Tite.
I just bought one from Crowley Marine, but haven’t had a chance to test it out yet. I have a ’69 Ski twin flywheel that gave me fits getting it off with the harmonic balancer puller. Broke a few # 8 bolts before it finally popped. I bet the OMC pull set would’ve made short work of it.
I’ll try it out soon as I finish my house maintenance…probably sometime in the late fall 😡
I don’t have the OMC puller or the HF puller. If I were to buy a puller for OMC flywheels I would buy the OMC puller. It is a very well made and perfect functioning tool. I made mine out of 1/2" steel pate. I use the center bolt from abother purchased puller (since I had it and it saved me making one) and for the tough ones I use an impact wrench on the center bolt. Most of the time that’s not needed but that pops the stubborn ones right off. Thankfully I have not found one loctited on yet. 😮
My vote is for the OMC puller. I bet you won’t regret it.
-Ben
Even as a Hobbyist, your time is worth something!! And if by chance you break something using a marginal tool, there goes your savings.
I have the OMC puller, and it is a PLEASURE to use.
I just used the omc puller on a 58 lark last week. They work great.on stubborn ones I put the load on the center bolt then pry the flywheel up with a heavy duty screw driver to lift the ply in the crank. Then give the center bolt a wack with a small sledge. then re tighten the center bolt. normally 2 or 3 times of this and it will pop free.
.
.