Refreshing Bottom End on 717 & MAG PTO Flywheel Questions - 1997 Speedster

[Chips]

This is my first time pulling apart the bottom end on at 717 or any small engine for that matter. I have a few questions to ask instead of trying to guess:

1) Do I need to remove both the PTO & MAG Flywheels to pull apart the cases and replace the two seals?

2) Regarding the PTO Flywheel, if I pull this off does it need to be pressed back on? Just not sure about how its actually secured to the crank.

3) I assume there is a gasket between the cases, but I don't think I see one with my "Complete Gasket Kit" I ordered from SBT. Am I missing something?

Thanks, and if there is anything else I should know or look for please let me know.

 

[Dr Honda]

1) Yes... both the MAG and PTO need to come off. Also.. you should do it before pulling the engine apart. It will be easier.

2) The PTO isn't pressed on. It's threaded on. You need to lock the crank, and put a breaker bar on it, using an impeller tool.

3) There is NOT a gasket between the case halves. BUT, a proper seal is SUPER critical. I use Three Bond 1194.

 

[ocod]

This is my first time pulling apart the bottom end on at 717 or any small engine for that matter. I have a few questions to ask instead of trying to guess:

1) Do I need to remove both the PTO & MAG Flywheels to pull apart the cases and replace the two seals?

2) Regarding the PTO Flywheel, if I pull this off does it need to be pressed back on? Just not sure about how its actually secured to the crank.

3) I assume there is a gasket between the cases, but I don't think I see one with my "Complete Gasket Kit" I ordered from SBT. Am I missing something?

Thanks, and if there is anything else I should know or look for please let me know.

1. Yes
2. No, Its threaded
3. No. Uses special sealant. I'll find it for you if DrHonda or if no ones posts name for you

 

[Chips]

Thanks guys! I currently have the engine out and the top end off. How should I approach locking the crank? I ordered the impeller removal tool to get my impeller out of my melted pump. So I just use the same tool on the PTO to break it free and thread it off I am gathering?

Thanks and sorry for the additional questions about locking the crank, I just don't want to screw something up. :cheers:

 

[ocod]

Thanks guys! I currently have the engine out and the top end off. How should I approach locking the crank? I ordered the impeller removal tool to get my impeller out of my melted pump. So I just use the same tool on the PTO to break it free and thread it off I am gathering?

Thanks and sorry for the additional questions about locking the crank, I just don't want to screw something up. :cheers:

:ack:

Its not going to be easy.
Find a way to jam flywheel w/o damaging it.

Breaker bar and heat

 

[Chips]

:ack:

Its not going to be easy.
Find a way to jam flywheel w/o damaging it.

Breaker bar and heat

Ok, so before I get too deep into this my whole reason I am even doing this is to replace the two crankshaft end seals that came with the gasket kit. Are these seals easily swapped out once the cases are split and both flywheels off, or is that a whole other issue to deal with?

My engine wasn't even blown up, just low on compression (120PSI). I wanted to give it a new top end and figured I would do what I can on the bottom end and have some fun with the rebuild. However, if its going to be a complete pain, maybe I will just throw the new top end on and see how it goes. I am just selling the boat since I just bought a new to me Speedster SK, but I wouldn't feel right being this close to finishing the job and not doing it... I want the boat to be in the best running condition possible when it goes to the next owner.

Is there a way to verify if I have a leak in the bottom end? I can easily put the jugs back on and seal the top end up to do some testing.

Thanks again!

 

[ocod]

Ok, so before I get too deep into this my whole reason I am even doing this is to replace the two crankshaft end seals that came with the gasket kit. Are these seals easily swapped out once the cases are split and both flywheels off, or is that a whole other issue to deal with?

My engine wasn't even blown up, just low on compression (120PSI). I wanted to give it a new top end and figured I would do what I can on the bottom end and have some fun with the rebuild. However, if its going to be a complete pain, maybe I will just throw the new top end on and see how it goes. I am just selling the boat since I just bought a new to me Speedster SK, but I wouldn't feel right being this close to finishing the job and not doing it... I want the boat to be in the best running condition possible when it goes to the next owner.

Is there a way to verify if I have a leak in the bottom end? I can easily put the jugs back on and seal the top end up to do some testing.

Thanks again!

Anything on the crank will need a press.
So its more work and money to use seal in a kit.......

Although a fresh crank on a old engine will be a blessing.

There have been two threads where after a top end the bottom end goes bye bye.

If you don't have a manual get one.
Its very detailed.

If you do top end only be careful with the 32 needle beading in the pistons wrist pin.
Put rags in the case when you are going to pull it out

 

[Chips]

Anything on the crank will need a press.
So its more work and money to use seal in a kit.......

Although a fresh crank on a old engine will be a blessing.

There have been two threads where after a top end the bottom end goes bye bye.

If you don't have a manual get one.
Its very detailed.

If you do top end only be careful with the 32 needle beading in the pistons wrist pin.
Put rags in the case when you are going to pull it out

Ok, maybe I will just buy a new crank assembled and trade in my old one as is to SBT. =) for a couple hundred bucks I am starting to think I will save the headache...but I guess it depends on how difficult the seals are to get pressed off and then new ones back on...if I get the crank out to be able to trade it in, that means I did half the tough work already...

Oh lord, I think I am too nice. :willy_nilly:Most people these days (like the jerk I bought the boat from) would probably do just enough to pass it off to the next buyer.