041AV Broken fly wheel key.

[steve d]

Hi there, just rebuilt my old 041AV after replacing cyl and piston and other bits. Saw started fine although I did notice that it was a bit hard to turn over, it felt like it was trying to start backwards. After it did start it ran correctly for about 3 mins then the flywheel key broke. Dont know if I didnt torque it enough or if it suffered during start up. Is it possible the timing is a bit out, I was carefull to refit the ignition unit back to the mark I made during teardown but dont know how to check the timing. Can anyone help? Many thanks Steve D.

 

[Ranchero50]

For the key, I sheared mine a week ago when the nut wasn't torqued down tight enough. For a replacement I laid the two peices of key on my work bench and took a chunk of 6mm square keystock and ground it down on a disc sander to the correct thickness and then formed the curve. Once it was the same as the original I just bent it back and forth a few time until it broke free of the keystock. Took about ten minutes.

Jamie

 

[steve d]

Hi Jamie, that sounds like something I could manufacture but I dont know what Key Stock is. Is it a lump of hardened steel? Steve D.

 

[Ranchero50]

Nope, just a piece of soft square stock in common sizes for keys on rollers and gear assemblies. You can get it at Lowes or any Tractor Supply house. You really don't want hardened metal because it will damage the shaft and flywheel if it shears again. A peice of 1" x 1/8" flat bar stock will work as a starting point too, just more material to remove.

Jamie

 

[steve d]

Thanks for the explanation Jamie, I think I've got something that will do the job, will be grinding tomorrow! Many thanks Steve D.