Jerry Rigged Rotor Holders: Strap Wrench?

Breaker19's home built rotor (flywheel) holder is very clever, but I don't have a brake rotor to begin with and don't weld even if I did.

Yesterday I started to remove the rotor on a 440B to repair the starter clutch. I had a band type rotor holder designed for Harley's and it turned out to be slightly too small for the 440 rotor. So, I happily cut the rubber off of the thing, which made it fit, but which also slipped. The result was that I slipped a tooth on the cam chain (and scratched the rotor, which I don't imagine matters much) and now have to retime the cam. This is a pain, and I still don't have the rotor off.

Has anyone tried a strap wrench (like those used for oil filters only bigger) for this task? Did it work? They have the advantage of being both common and cheap.

I bought a Vice-grip type chain wrench the last time I pulled my 750B1's starter clutch. It worked great. I used a couple different methods before but it was much easier with the vice-grip.

Oil filter strap wrench will work, as long as it's large enough.

You can also use a leather belt and a short pipe, large screwdriver, or even a large wrench, to make your own temporary strap wrench. Generally takes two people to use it though.

Air impact is the answer to removing it

Wrap sandpaper around the inside of it before putting it around rotor

steell wrote: Oil filter strap wrench will work, as long as it's large enough.

You can also use a leather belt and a short pipe, large screwdriver, or even a large wrench, to make your own temporary strap wrench. Generally takes two people to use it though.

Air impact is the answer to removing it

I can't even imagine working on engines without the aid of air impact wrenches and correct pullers....

The strap wrench does work. I came up with one designed for automotive applications - pulleys and such - that would wrap a 7" diameter wheel. It took all of the torque that two of us could apply without slipping. At the very high end, I did use the sandpaper trick.

Still don't have the damn rotor off - even tried an air wrench - but at least I have a working rotor holder. Since the starter clutch problem is intermittent, I'm tempted to just say screw it and live with the problem. Of course, that would be wrong, so I'll keep at it.

Anyway, thanks for the help.

Are you trying to lock the engine?

Many ways to do that.

Kidkawie wrote: Are you trying to lock the engine?

Many ways to do that.

No. Using the strap wrench I can lock it up just fine. I just haven't been able to get enough torque on the rotor puller to budge the thing. I think that I may just need a bigger friend.