Flywheel Removal? Urgent

Well, we got our snow so,
I'm trying to get the flywheel off the 12h briggs in my Westwood. I have a flywheel pulling set but because the shaft sticks up far to accomadate the starter clutch, I cant get long enough 1/2" bolts over here. Any ideas?

I've often had the same problem before with the flywheel puller kits. What I do is just go find yourself a gear puller that will fit your flywheel at a local parts or tool supply store. 

Once you find one, the center pin goes on the crank just like with the flywheel puller and then the arms under the edge of the starter ring gear. It may require some light tapping as you crank down on it to pop it loose but don't just strike away as you can ruin your crankshaft. 

Good luck!

I have one but the arms are not long or wide enough. Can't seem to get a bigger one.

Hmmm... Only thing else I can think of would be to make some sort of puller. Or at least new arms for the one you have. 1/4" thick flat stock would work, just drill some holes, cut it to size and cut out the notches. Unless you order one off the internet.

Yeah. Not sure, seems really stuck on there. Kinda got my flywheel puller to work but it wont take the flywheel off. Would there be anything holding it on?

Btw the reason I need the flywheel off is because the flywheel key is sheared so it could be holding it on

There shouldn't be anything hold it on other than a big nut or a bolt on the end of the crank. Unless the ring gear is caught on the magneto or something. If you can get your puller to put pressure on it, crank down on it fairly hard and then with a small hammer, tap gently around the center of the flywheel. Just tap every 60 or 90* around the crank on the flywheel tapping slightly harder with each new rotation. It should just let go eventually so be careful. Just dont be whaling on the flywheel with the hammer. If this doesn't work, you can try getting an oxyacetylene torch and heat the flywheel around the crankshaft area but don't heat the crankshaft itself. The heat will make the flywheel expand and become looser around the crankshaft.

This model has a pull start on it and it uses Briggs' starter clutch system. It has no nut or bolt holding on the flywheel but the starer clutch itself threads onto the crank and holds the flywheel on. I will try removing the coil and see if it helps. The sheared key must be makign it had to get off. Will also try some heat if I still cant get it off

Once it jumps loose, then you should have it. I've gotten some off by having someone hold a couple of large screw drivers, one under each side of the flywheel with some up pressure and then tapping on the end of the crank shaft. You just want to go easy on everything. If your alone you can gently tap the screw drivers in between the block and flywheel too. Puller is the best way if you have one that fits. Again tapping on the end of the puller once there's some pressure on it can break it loose. I've never used heat, but if your going to try it, just warm it a little bit (no where close to red hot). Shouldn't take too much to help. But really it should come loose without the heat.

Yeah I have used screwdrivers and tapping on the end of the crankshaft to get off flywheels. It usually works but not for this one.

I've had some pretty stuck on, but usually other brands, not briggs.

No that im thinking about it, couldnt you make a thing with two peices of flat stock (1/4" or anything that size so it wont bend) and put one on each side then get two more to do a criss cross type thing over the top of the bolt in the center of the flywheel, weld a nut to the bottom of the two bars that are criss cross right where it would aligned with the bolt, then thread a long bolt on, and tighten away. Should work or might snap something (like a bolt) so wear safety glasses (wouldnt want a trip to the Hospital)

Yeah usually with flywheels they're stuck on there pretty good so when removing them with a puller, often times you will have to crank them down to where you start to worry about it breaking something, and then give it a few more turns for good measure. By then it will usually either slip off the flywheel if you're using a gear puller, or break it loose. Btw did you try soaking it with PB blaster?

Good idea Rockinator, I'll try that.
@MasonMck, I will try soaking it in a lubricant of some sort (will see what I have) to see if it helps. May try some heat first though

When trying to get stuff loose on the farm i would heat it then spray penetrating fluid at the join when its hot, seems to suck it in a bit better, not super hot mind, just very warm otherwise the fluid just wants to evaporate, but that has helped me out before, heat it, spray, let it cool, repeat. gd luck

Aye Jon, when I get time I'll get it off! More concentrating on my build off now