New here and looking for repair advice.
Craftsman LT1000 (17.5hp B&S engine 31C707-0230-E1. I'm an idiot, did not research and pulled the flywheel with a harmonic balancer puller and side bolts were short so I removed the flywheel/crankshaft bolt and apparently pressed directly against the crankshaft end (with female threads). Seems I warped the end of the crankshaft such that I cannot get the bolt to start threading into the female threads in the end of the crankshaft. Everything looks absolutely fine, just can't get the bolt to start. Threads look perfect using a scope camera. Thinking maybe I just rolled the crankshaft end over a bit?
Looking for suggestions instead of tearing down and replacing crankshaft. Some ideas I've had:
1. Gently tap bolt in to try to push any "bulge" out until it can start to thread in
2. Drill out with a bit just smaller than the bolt to get rid of the bulge without going too far to mess up the threads
3. Drill out and tap to slightly larger and get new bolt. Would Grade 8 bolt be appropriate or non-hardened bolt? Doubt I could find a tapered/pointed bolt so would I just get a straight bolt 1/4" shorter?
Any suggestions on the above or other ideas much appreciated.
Thank you!
Craftsman LT1000 (17.5hp B&S engine 31C707-0230-E1. I'm an idiot, did not research and pulled the flywheel with a harmonic balancer puller and side bolts were short so I removed the flywheel/crankshaft bolt and apparently pressed directly against the crankshaft end (with female threads). Seems I warped the end of the crankshaft such that I cannot get the bolt to start threading into the female threads in the end of the crankshaft. Everything looks absolutely fine, just can't get the bolt to start. Threads look perfect using a scope camera. Thinking maybe I just rolled the crankshaft end over a bit?
Looking for suggestions instead of tearing down and replacing crankshaft. Some ideas I've had:
1. Gently tap bolt in to try to push any "bulge" out until it can start to thread in
2. Drill out with a bit just smaller than the bolt to get rid of the bulge without going too far to mess up the threads
3. Drill out and tap to slightly larger and get new bolt. Would Grade 8 bolt be appropriate or non-hardened bolt? Doubt I could find a tapered/pointed bolt so would I just get a straight bolt 1/4" shorter?
Any suggestions on the above or other ideas much appreciated.
Thank you!