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I have a Briggs Horizontal Shaft 5.0 engine / Tiller ( model : 130202 ). Engine keeps sheering the flywheel key. Clutch secured tightly.
Keeps sheering flywheel key when started and suddenly stops afterwards. Flywheel replaced with another used one and still have the same issues.
Any Ideas / input ?
Thanks.

Sometimes the flywheel key slot can get damaged over time due to shearing. Also the other causes are the clutch not torqued to spec or in some cases I have seen the washer between the flywheel and clutch crack, or the older versions had a cupped washer and if turned upside down would cause issue. But I think the replacement washer is now flat.

The key is just a locator. It does not lock the flywheel to the crank. Something is loose on the crankshaft. Either the flywheel is not torqued properly or something on the PTO side is loose. If the taper on the crank or flywheel is damaged that can cause the flywheel to not lock onto the crankshaft taper also. Do you have the tool to install the clutch? Or using a pipe wrench on the clutch?

Hammermechanicman said:

The key is just a locator. It does not lock the flywheel to the crank. Something is loose on the crankshaft. Either the flywheel is not torqued properly or something on the PTO side is loose. If the taper on the crank or flywheel is damaged that can cause the flywheel to not lock onto the crankshaft taper also. Do you have the tool to install the clutch? Or using a pipe wrench on the clutch?

Click to expand...

I use a cresent wrench on the clutch while holding the flywheel in place with a tire tool. since the clutch ratchets I use the power of the clutch to tighten down the clutch on top of the flywheel. Never had an issues but there is also a first time. Flywheel seems to be okay but I changed it out with a good used one.

ILENGINE said:

Sometimes the flywheel key slot can get damaged over time due to shearing. Also the other causes are the clutch not torqued to spec or in some cases I have seen the washer between the flywheel and clutch crack, or the older versions had a cupped washer and if turned upside down would cause issue. But I think the replacement washer is now flat.

Click to expand...

I use a cresent wrench on the clutch while holding the flywheel in place with a tire tool. since the clutch ratchets I use the power of the clutch to tighten down the clutch on top of the flywheel. Never had an issues but there is also a first time. Flywheel seems to be okay but I changed it out with a good used one.

If you don't have the clutch tool you can put 2 screws in the ears to hold the sheet metal cover from coming off and use a pipe wrench to torque down the clutch. Be sure to clean both tapers with something like brake cleaner.

Hammermechanicman said:

The key is just a locator. It does not lock the flywheel to the crank. Something is loose on the crankshaft. Either the flywheel is not torqued properly or something on the PTO side is loose. If the taper on the crank or flywheel is damaged that can cause the flywheel to not lock onto the crankshaft taper also. Do you have the tool to install the clutch? Or using a pipe wrench on the clutch?

Click to expand...

I use a Pipe Wrench and hand torque it until a point that I think is snug enough.

I just love it when techs guess at 55 ft-lbs. Risks not tightening enough or over tightening damaging the taper in the flywheel.

StarTech said:

I just love it when techs guess at 55 ft-lbs. Risks not tightening enough or over tightening damaging the taper in the flywheel.

Click to expand...

I just think about the torque value, and when i reach it my elbow clicks.

Scrubcadet10 said:

I just think about the torque value, and when i reach it my elbow clicks.

Click to expand...

Sounds like the AVE method. I have never put a torque wrench on a flywheel nut or clutch. Put on at least 150. Have to admit i did break a Toro flywheel when i was in high school from over torquing. Other than that never had a problem. Just lucky i guess.

I had a few that were over torqued welded on and a couple light weight Briggs flywheel split in two that came into the shop because the tech got over zealous with a hi-powered impact. I even one that just split enough from over torquing the it was hitting the stator.

Wow

I have had push mowers come in where the owner cracked the flywheel from over torquing. Usually tecumseh engines. Had a Wilbur bring me an antique small outboard motor he broke the end of the crankshaft off when he tried rethreading the crank after he had stripped the fine threads. It was a good friends son so i fixed it. Turned a piece in my little lathe and welded it on rethreaded it and filed the keyway in the threads to match the taper. Wasn't perfect but the engine ran and the flywheel stayed on.