Spitfire Primary Clucth question
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81 spitfire
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- Location: Nebraska
Spitfire Primary Clucth question
I have just spent the last few days trying to remove the original comet clutch from the crank. I used the proper clutch puller(managed to deform the part that pushes on the crank). I also tried using the water and puller with teflon tape. Nothing has worked and I'm starting to think that clutch is stuck there for good. Is there anything else I could try? Also, If I do need to find a new clutch, is there anything other than the comet 94c that fits the kawi tb340A motor?
Re: Spitfire Primary Clucth question
I recently had the same problem. Did you soak it with WD-40 or something similiar first? I had that puller so tight that I couldn't budge it any more. I left the puller on it real tight and tapped on it with a rubber mallet every now and then and it eventually it popped off. It took a few days though. I couldn't believe how stubborn that clutch was being.
Jeff Eddings
South Weber, UT
1980 Trailfire 440
South Weber, UT
1980 Trailfire 440
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81 spitfire
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- Joined: Wed Feb 29, 2012 2:11 pm
- Location: Nebraska
Re: Spitfire Primary Clucth question
Yes, i did soak it with some deep creep. I didn't let it sit there fit a few days with the puller I'm it however. I'm starting to remember how much of a pain that tapered shafts can be...
Re: Spitfire Primary Clucth question
Yeah, I've heard that before. 
Merry Christmas and safe travels to all hitting the road.
Merry Christmas and safe travels to all hitting the road.
Todd Schrupp
Milbank SD
Milbank SD
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Matt
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Re: Spitfire Primary Clucth question
Fill the clutch hole with grease. I guess you were trying a similar idea with the water but the grease will be easier to work with, especially if you have a grease gun to pump it in.
Matt - JDsleds.com Administrator-
nick80lf
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Re: Spitfire Primary Clucth question
I had one (102c on a liquifire) that I worked at for about 2 weeks. I tried just about everything. Grease, flipped sled on its side and soaked with PB blaster, let it set with tension on the puller for days, soaked with Blaster for days. Eventually I used heat.
Puller was tightened using an impact, then I gently heated the stationary part of the clutch (with a propane torch) as close to the crank as possible. It sounded like a gunshot when it came lose. Glad my hand wasn't in the way because it hit the bumper pretty hard. Mine wasn't very hot, a hair dryer probably could have done the job, just would have taken longer.
Puller was tightened using an impact, then I gently heated the stationary part of the clutch (with a propane torch) as close to the crank as possible. It sounded like a gunshot when it came lose. Glad my hand wasn't in the way because it hit the bumper pretty hard. Mine wasn't very hot, a hair dryer probably could have done the job, just would have taken longer.
80 Liquifire (purchased 1996 ~ Running)
80 Liquifire (purchased 2010 ~ Running....Now)
80 Liquifire (purchased 2011 ~ Not running - I officially have a problem now)
83 Snowfire (purchased 2014 father/son restoration project)
78 Spitfire ~ sold (should have been shot for this)
80 Liquifire (purchased 2010 ~ Running....Now)
80 Liquifire (purchased 2011 ~ Not running - I officially have a problem now)
83 Snowfire (purchased 2014 father/son restoration project)
78 Spitfire ~ sold (should have been shot for this)
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jdrob
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Re: Spitfire Primary Clucth question
If I get a stubborn sticky clutch I also use light heat like Nick. I am not sure if you guys are using an air impact gun but that is always my first choice. These are my steps of action. Light heat close as possible to crank end(base of fixed sheave) try to spin clutch over for even heat. Then run in the puller as far as it will go, and then whack the end of the puller with a hammer. Keep hands free and clear from clutch, b/c as Nick mentioned it sounds like a gun shot coming off! I allow 3 times of repeated procedure, if it does not come off, well lets just say it comes OFF... 
Jdrob
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." AE
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." AE
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81 spitfire
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- Joined: Wed Feb 29, 2012 2:11 pm
- Location: Nebraska
Re: Spitfire Primary Clucth question
Thanks for all of the replies here guys, It looks like I just need to be patient and wait for a few days(hard to do with all the snow on the ground), but I will try what you suggested and hope for the best! Thanks again and Happy Holidays!
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ICCSF 108
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Re: Spitfire Primary Clucth question
Lay the sled on it's side (make sure gas isn't continually running out as you will have some run out the carb ) this is why I don't like to use any form of heat as a little gas will for sure run out of the carb..
once you have the center bolt out of the clutch fill the hole with 80-90 gear lube, wrapping a towel be it paper or grease rags around the crank next to the engine will help keep the mess your going to have to a minimum... I also use an air impact, one of the new battery powered ones or an electric one might also work. I believe it's real hard to remove a stuck clutch from the crank with hand tools, all though it can be done, I'm just worried about damaging the clutch or engine parts by however means your trying to keep the engine from rotating..
insert the puller ( you will start to overflow the gear lube but hopefully your rags/towels will catch most of it ) MAKE SURE that your puller has started good into the threads on the clutch & then ram it home as fast as you can the HYD's should pop it off. ( IF you turn the puller all the way in slow until it hits the crank you take away any help from the hyd's )
once you have alot of pressure on the puller then ( IF you have room ) use two ball peen or flat hammers, lay one on the nut end puller & then hit it with the other hammer ( you get more hit that way).. If this doesn't work try tightening puller again & try hitting again.. I don't like using a torch especially with gas & fumes around a heat gun MIGHT be ok to use?? I just only use the above method with no heat & have had only one I couldn't get off this way, but that's another story & a different reason all together for not coming off..
Grumpy
once you have the center bolt out of the clutch fill the hole with 80-90 gear lube, wrapping a towel be it paper or grease rags around the crank next to the engine will help keep the mess your going to have to a minimum... I also use an air impact, one of the new battery powered ones or an electric one might also work. I believe it's real hard to remove a stuck clutch from the crank with hand tools, all though it can be done, I'm just worried about damaging the clutch or engine parts by however means your trying to keep the engine from rotating..
insert the puller ( you will start to overflow the gear lube but hopefully your rags/towels will catch most of it ) MAKE SURE that your puller has started good into the threads on the clutch & then ram it home as fast as you can the HYD's should pop it off. ( IF you turn the puller all the way in slow until it hits the crank you take away any help from the hyd's )
once you have alot of pressure on the puller then ( IF you have room ) use two ball peen or flat hammers, lay one on the nut end puller & then hit it with the other hammer ( you get more hit that way).. If this doesn't work try tightening puller again & try hitting again.. I don't like using a torch especially with gas & fumes around a heat gun MIGHT be ok to use?? I just only use the above method with no heat & have had only one I couldn't get off this way, but that's another story & a different reason all together for not coming off..
Grumpy
AKA: Kenny, Grumpy, Mr. Richard Head
"I Hunt For it, Purchase it, Haul it, Sometimes Repair it, Sometimes Break it, Then Fix it Again, Label it, Warehouse it, Talk About it, So NOW, HOW Can I Take Any Less $$ For It?"
"God I love the smell of KLOTZ in the morning, That smell, you know that Gasoline/Oil Smell, MAKES the whole place SMELL like.. LIKE VICTORY. You know someday the 2 strokers are gonna end..."
Do Anti-War Protesters have reunions? If so what do they TALK about?
"I Hunt For it, Purchase it, Haul it, Sometimes Repair it, Sometimes Break it, Then Fix it Again, Label it, Warehouse it, Talk About it, So NOW, HOW Can I Take Any Less $$ For It?"
"God I love the smell of KLOTZ in the morning, That smell, you know that Gasoline/Oil Smell, MAKES the whole place SMELL like.. LIKE VICTORY. You know someday the 2 strokers are gonna end..."
Do Anti-War Protesters have reunions? If so what do they TALK about?
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nick80lf
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Re: Spitfire Primary Clucth question
Good point Kenny,
Gas and flame don't play well together. The sled I used heat on hadn't had fuel in it for years.
Gas and flame don't play well together. The sled I used heat on hadn't had fuel in it for years.
80 Liquifire (purchased 1996 ~ Running)
80 Liquifire (purchased 2010 ~ Running....Now)
80 Liquifire (purchased 2011 ~ Not running - I officially have a problem now)
83 Snowfire (purchased 2014 father/son restoration project)
78 Spitfire ~ sold (should have been shot for this)
80 Liquifire (purchased 2010 ~ Running....Now)
80 Liquifire (purchased 2011 ~ Not running - I officially have a problem now)
83 Snowfire (purchased 2014 father/son restoration project)
78 Spitfire ~ sold (should have been shot for this)
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ICCSF 108
- Posts: 4369
- Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2005 12:00 am
- Real Name: Kenny Heins, AKA Grumpy
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- Contact:
Re: Spitfire Primary Clucth question
Also when you pull the cover off a 94C check the position of the pucks as you will need to reassemble in the same position, ck the pucks for melting or wear if either replace..
Grumpy
Grumpy
AKA: Kenny, Grumpy, Mr. Richard Head
"I Hunt For it, Purchase it, Haul it, Sometimes Repair it, Sometimes Break it, Then Fix it Again, Label it, Warehouse it, Talk About it, So NOW, HOW Can I Take Any Less $$ For It?"
"God I love the smell of KLOTZ in the morning, That smell, you know that Gasoline/Oil Smell, MAKES the whole place SMELL like.. LIKE VICTORY. You know someday the 2 strokers are gonna end..."
Do Anti-War Protesters have reunions? If so what do they TALK about?
"I Hunt For it, Purchase it, Haul it, Sometimes Repair it, Sometimes Break it, Then Fix it Again, Label it, Warehouse it, Talk About it, So NOW, HOW Can I Take Any Less $$ For It?"
"God I love the smell of KLOTZ in the morning, That smell, you know that Gasoline/Oil Smell, MAKES the whole place SMELL like.. LIKE VICTORY. You know someday the 2 strokers are gonna end..."
Do Anti-War Protesters have reunions? If so what do they TALK about?
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81 spitfire
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Wed Feb 29, 2012 2:11 pm
- Location: Nebraska
Re: Spitfire Primary Clucth question
Well I finally got it off the crankshaft. You were all right about it sounding like a gun when it finally lets loose. Hopefully it will come off a little easier the next time, but if I'm lucky I won't have to get it off again for a while. Thanks for all of the information and tricks to try. They definitely came in handy. Now if only I could get my carb tuned right I could be out riding...