Ransomes Clutch removal

[Para1]

HI All, I'm new to the forum, I was hoping for a bit of advice?
I'm hoping to get this Briggs powered Ransom mower going. It had a valve seat issue which I have sorted and now has good compression. However I was hoping to remove the clutch and open the engine casings. it appears someone has attempted this before me. the two screws are missing from the clutch. I believe its a tapered fit? So in my opinion a tapered pin in the unthreaded hole will release the clutch from the shaft? Its tight and a puller resulted in the slight damage to the flange. the bolt in the end of the crank shaft is now removed. Any ideas appreciated. Regards

[Mick]

Hi Para1, and welcome to TGMForum

A Taper Lock Bush

There's a few examples on the web, but maybe this might help.  If not just search for Taper Lock Bush and you should see a few more.

Also, I should mention.   if you tried to pull the flywheel off there's a chance that you pulled it even tighter on to the taper bush thus making the whole thing grab the shaft more.  In theory, you should knock the flywheel inwards towards the engine to push it off the taper while trying to extract it.

[Para1]

Thanks Mick, super fast reply, the issue I have is the "releasing hole" seems to have no thread. Hence why I have put a tapered rod in. Everything is solid. Do you think If I firmly hit the outer clutch it will release?

[Mick]

Thanks Mick, super fast reply, the issue I have is the "releasing hole" seems to have no thread. Hence why I have put a tapered rod in. Everything is solid. Do you think If I firmly hit the outer clutch it will release?

It's hard to say to be honest, you don't want to bend the crankshaft. The thread will only be on one side of the extractor hole by the way, just in case you didn't realise.

I'll be completely straight with you, it so long since I touched one of these I can't even remember it having the taper bush system on there when fitted with the Briggs engine. I'm only going on your photo's and what it looks like to me.