Removing air compressor flywheel?

[Badasssapper67]

Hey, this sounds like a dumb question..... not a great way to start off, but I cant get the flywheel off my Quincy 325 air compressor.
It makes me think there might be a set screw or maybe the key way key is tapered to keep the flywheel from "walking off"?
All I know is that I put more than what it should take on it and it's not wanting to let go.
It is an estate purchase that was outside but the guy who passed was rebuilding it. The guys are all new and a couple of the valves are new. He had to have the flywheel off to put in the new bearings right?

Any help is appreciated.
By the way, watched rotarycomptech's video on the Quincy 325 and the part where he takes the flywheel off he starts the camera with the flywheel already partially off the shaft. I asked him but he's got a ton of traffic on his utube page.

 

[laser3kw]

Quincy 325 youtube link

Googled it up - here is a useful video flywheel at 3:45

 

[laser3kw]

whoops! doubled up

looks like this bolts tight the pinch slot?

 

[DieselNut88]

On the 5125's we have at work there are 2 bolts on the flywheel that need to be removed. The shaft is straight, but they are very tight. A large puller is required. There is no set screw. To reinstall the 5125 flywheel I had to heat the flywheel and cool the crank shaft with liquid nitrogen plus a huge deadblow hammer to get it back on. Those flywheel are 24" and about 80lbs. The 325 is a smaller version of a 5125. Very easy to work on. I hope this helps.

 

[Badasssapper67]

The problem with that video is that as you can see, the flywheel is already partially off when he starts recording. At least my flywheel is flush with the shaft.
I only need to take it off so I can put the unit on the tank by myself. Im about to say screw it and hammer a half dozen energy drinks and a couple shots of espresso and power lift the danged thing up there. (then be unavailable for a couple days..... Im going to be in trouble in a couple years...)
Maybe its time to buy another cherry picker. Got rid of the last one because all it did was get in the way and make my "friends" ask to borrow it.....

 

[The Cobbler]

The problem with that video is that as you can see, the flywheel is already partially off when he starts recording. At least my flywheel is flush with the shaft.
.....

but the concept is there. remove the bolts as suggested, pull the flywheel off with a puller

 

[Badasssapper67]

As in this video, the bolts on mine are loose and bounce around so I dont believe they're in a slot in the cranck shaft. I believe they only tighten the slot. I put a lot of pressure on the puller and it's a 40ton puller, and the bolts still bounced around under no pressure at all.
Tomarrow Im calling the compressor shop in town and see what they say.
Bought a head gasket set from them, they seem to know what theyre talking about...

 

[redmondjp]

Personally, I'd figure out a way to hoist that pump up without pulling the flywheel. Do you have anything overhead that you can rig up a chainfall or come-a-long or something similar?

Or buy pizza/beer for a few friends or neighbors and have them help. You could bolt the pump onto a piece of thick plywood and/or some 2x4s so it is easier for a few people to get a hold of to get it up to the mounting plate.

I've seen an engine hoist used for this, with an extension beam (such that the top end of it reaches high enough). The QR brochure says that the 325 shipping weight is just under 300 lbs, so you could add weight or strap down the back end of the hoist if needed.

 

[mattblast]

I pulled the flywheel on a Quincy using a 3-jaw locking puller. I rented one and did it in the parking lot of the rental place. Took only a minute or two. After seeing how easily it came off I purchased my own puller.

Posilock is the brand I used. Pulled several flywheels since and the puller makes it easy.

 

[laser3kw]

Maybe its time to buy another cherry picker. Got rid of the last one because all it did was get in the way and make my "friends" ask to borrow it.....

Maybe there is a GJ'er in your area that could help you out with a cherry picker.
Or try an auto parts store, many rent them for cheap.
Even with the flywheel off I would want to wrangle it around. You will be really pissed if it falls and breaks. Or worse yet, hurt yourself.

 

[Badasssapper67]

Called the shop today and theyre closed. Will keep you updated. Really leaning towards leaving it on but I wont quit until I know why it wont come off.

 

[matt_i]

The tighter the fit between the shaft and bore, the longer the life will be. There's probably a burr somewhere, especially if a setscrew goes directly over a key. But, removal could induce torn & folded metal, which is going to take longer to sort out plus potentially damage that critical fit.

So, I would follow others' advice and get some help or get some rigging going. Don't pull the fan sheave just to lighten the pump.

 

[laser3kw]

Called the shop today and theyre closed. Will keep you updated. Really leaning towards leaving it on but I wont quit until I know why it wont come off.

I like that attitude!

 

[OccupantRJ]

Don't invite trouble. It would come off by removing the two bolts and using a good puller, but is it worth damaging it? I will be lifting a pump assembly up shortly, but you can bet I won't be removing the flywheel to do it. Not worth the risk. I had to buy a new mower transaxle once for being curious.

 

[MacMcMacmac]

There is no set screw. They really are just that tight.

Lots of lube. Bolts backed right off.

I used to hammer in a couple of cold chisels in the flywheel "pinch gap" to open it up, then smack the back of the flywheel with a big soft hammer. After it was apart, I would emery the shaft and polish the bore, plus use a glop of anti-seize on the wheel to make it easier for next time. 5 spokes in the wheel make it a PITA to use a puller since 2 or 3 jaws do not go evenly into five gaps. Tapered shafts are so much easier.

 

[Badasssapper67]

MacMcMacmac, thanks for the advise, that is exactly what the guy at the compressor shop said to do. He did say that he rebuilds these all the time and that once he opens the gap a bit they go back on pretty easy BUT he did point out that if you're not replacing the bearings in the crankcase hammering on the flywheel can destroy the bearings.
He said what he does is try to lift the motor with a fork lift so that the pump is a little bit off the ground with the flywheel facing up so that when he hammers into the flywheel gap it lessens the blow on the bearings but even that wont guarentee you dont damage them.
So it's staying on.

 

[ditchd0c]

Googled it up - here is a useful video flywheel at 3:45[/QUOTE]

What is the puller he is using on the flywheel?

 

[laser3kw]

Googled it up - here is a useful video flywheel at 3:45

What is the puller he is using on the flywheel?

look around here:
Pronto puller catalog link

 

[seang81]

What is the puller he is using on the flywheel?

look around here:
Pronto puller catalog link [/QUOTE]

Looks like snap on cj85 with 7" jaws attached

 

[pepi]

Another vote to lift the pump. rent a cherry picker. Build an wood A frame, attach a come along, steel a kids swing set.

Reality, notice pumps are sold with the fly wheel/ pulley mounted .... wonder why? .......... V

https://www.portlandcompressor.com/store/bare-air-compressor-pumps

https://www.ebay.com/bhp/replacement-air-compressor-pump

https://www.compressorpros.com/replacement-air-compressor-pumps/


Secrete message ................ ^