On Tue, 13 Jul 2010 04:34:45 -0700 (PDT), ransley wrote:
Flywheels are balanced ...
I hope it runs ok because drilling it changed the balance. I

Hi Ransley,

I updated the pictures to show the flywheel holes.
http://img708.imageshack.us/g/briggs...tonflywhe.jpg/
http://yfrog.com/jobriggsandstrattonflywhej
http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/7...strattonflywhe

I hope tapping them didn't change the balance as that's all that is
required. Do you think merely tapping the two holes changes the balance?

It's the proper way to remove this flywheel (I now know).

Once cleaned (and chalked), you can see in the pictures the Briggs and
Stratton flywheel says "TO REMOVE, USE WHEEL PULLER HOLES", and then it has
two big arrows pointing to the two untapped holes.

So, the instructions I was given to bang and pry were wrong, at least
they're wrong in two ways:
1. It's definitely not the manufacture's documented method
2. It's not for someone with zero experience (such as I am).

This video shows the (wrong) traditional method:
http://www.waldeneffect.org/blog/Bri...wheel_removal/

So, I'm posting here to help the next homeowner. The proper way to remove
THIS Briggs & Stratton flywheel is:
1. Tap the two pre-drilled holes (1/4 x 20)
2. Pull up with a BS 19069 flywheel puller (available as a harmonic
balancer puller at any auto parts store)

The owners manual (page 38 & 39) show this as Sears P/N: 19069:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=D&q=htt...fRWxQAo5_C_ A

This is the $7.50 flywheel puller (Briggs & Stratton P/N: BS 19069):
http://farmex.now.tc/catalog/product...oducts_id=2368
http://tewarehouse.com/7-05979
http://www.jackssmallengines.com/service_tools2.cfm

Briggs & Stratton FAQs say to use the flywheel puller:
http://engines.myfaqcenter.com/Answer.aspx?p_faqid=3422

This says it's dangerous (to the equipment) to smack the crankshaft.
http://outdoorpowerinfo.com/repairs/...el_removal.asp

This says the same thing:
http://www.repairfaq.org/samnew/lmfaq/lmflyrml.htm

This also says to use the flywheel puller:
http://www.ehow.com/way_5655790_brig...l-removal.html

So, I now know the answer but I want the next guy who runs across this
advice to get the right advice; otherwise they'll end up breaking more than
they repair just as I did by using the wrong method and the wrong tools in
the wrong way to remove a Briggs & Stratton flywheel.

Thansk everyone! I hope this helps others.