rdeanrj58 68 #1 Posted January 13, 2019 Is it possible to remove a ring gear from a flywheel with out damaging either ? I'm working on a k181 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
formariz 11,849 #2 Posted January 13, 2019 Yes it is. The same flywheel ring gear (gear starter) for Kohler engine models K241/M10, K301/M12, K321/M14, K341/M16, K361, KT17, KT17 Series 2, KT19, KT19 Series 2, MV16, M18, MV18, M20 and MV20 will interchange. They are all identical. To swap a starter ring gear from one flywheel to another, first of all, Kohler don't sell just the ring gear by itself. You will need to acquire a used flywheel with a good ring gear on it. To remove the ring gear from a flywheel, it's not necessary to heat it. Instead, place the flywheel with the fins facing up on a steel top work table, bench or concrete floor, then use a drift punch tool or steel rod and a 2-3 lb. hammer to remove the ring gear from the flywheel. Gently tap equally around the entire circumference of the gear to avoid distorting or bending it. It should eventually fall off. To install the ring gear on a flywheel, position the flywheel with the fins facing down on a fire-proof steel top work table, bench or concrete floor, and place the ring gear on the flywheel with the beveled edge of the gear teeth facing upward. This allows the starter gear teeth to engage more easily without causing binding, damage or wear to the teeth. Use an oxy-acetylene torch to heat the ring gear 360º to expand it so it'll install on the flywheel. (A propane torch may not get hot enough.) This should only take a few minutes. Do not use a hammer for assistance! Once the gear drops in place, it'll have a loose fit until it cools. Allow it to air-cool. Do not cool it with water. Once cooled, it'll have a tight, secure fit on the flywheel. NOTE: NEVER attempt to install (pound) a [cold] ring gear onto the flywheel with a hammer! Doing this will bend it badly out of shape and ruin it for use. Click here to watch various YouTube videos of this process: How to swap or flip a ring gear off a flywheel - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=How+to+swap+or+flip+a+ring+gear+off+a+flywheel). 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rdeanrj58 68 #3 Posted January 13, 2019 Thanks formariz. At this point I'm just wanting to remove one. I'll give it a try Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,147 #4 Posted January 13, 2019 To reinstall you also can put the ring gear in the oven at around 400 (Probably do this while the wife is shopping). Same time put the receiving flywheel in the refrigerator/freezer (or just leave it outside overnight this time of year.) Then proceed as above... 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rdeanrj58 68 #5 Posted January 13, 2019 Yes pfrederi that is best done while the wife is away !! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rdeanrj58 68 #6 Posted January 13, 2019 Success. Piece of cake 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wishin4a416 2,186 #7 Posted January 13, 2019 I have put the ring gear on/in the outdoor grill before with success. This was on a larger farm tractor. IH. It slid right on. All good tips. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 38,926 #8 Posted January 13, 2019 Get some oven mitts when installing! (For some reason they don't tell you that in the manual. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
