On Jul 12, 4:49*pm, "James H." wrote:
On Mon, 12 Jul 2010 06:18:14 -0700 (PDT), Harry K wrote:
you were given clear, explicit explanations of why it works
and also that it is a common method of accomplishing the goal.

Hi Harry K,
I might have been given clear explicit explanations; but that doesn't mean
I understand the logic of banging down on the immovable crankshaft.

The fact that so many people suggested that "common method", yet the
experience I had (where it couldn't possibly work) is what confuses me.

I fully appreciate prying UP on the flywheel (although, as my experience
dictates, that's the absolutely wrong approach for this Craftsman 3.5 HP
Briggs and Stratton lawn mower engine).

So far I've heard that banging down on the flywheel "momentarily deforms"
the crankshaft ... and that ... somehow ... magically? ... allows the
flywheel to pop up on the tapered shaft.

Asking the same question here, and getting the same answers, isn't
going to change anything.

To add something that hasn't been mentioned (or I didn't see it). The
inertia delivered by the hammer affects the crankshaft, not the
flywheel (you are preventing it from moving).

At the end of the day you will just have to accept the fact that it
does work when done properly and won't cause damage to anything.

Harry K