I'm trying to turn the flywheel on my big block olds engine. I've gotten the KD tools flywheel turning tool. The little tab that's on the opposite side of the bar keeps bending, so I guess I'm not using it correctly. Is it supposed to be used by pushing the handle away from, or towards the small tab (or am I not explaining it properly?)

Any help or references would be appreciated.

Thanks

Might need to remove the spark plugs.

I have the same one. Its a big piece of crap and in some cases dangerous. Its sliped off and almost hit me in the face more than once.

you want to pull away from the tab. i don't know how to explain it, but you want to open it up a decent amount so it's grabbing at points on the ring gear that are as far apart as possible, and it tightens up when you pull the handle. i've put a lot of force on my chinese tool sale special flywheel turning tool that i paid like $5 for- and it only ever slips if i don't get it opened up far enough.

you want to pull away from the tab. i don't know how to explain it, but you want to open it up a decent amount so it's grabbing at points on the ring gear that are as far apart as possible, and it tightens up when you pull the handle. i've put a lot of force on my chinese tool sale special flywheel turning tool that i paid like $5 for- and it only ever slips if i don't get it opened up far enough.


I know how to use it. But the tab starts to bent after a few times of use and wants to start slipping off.

My experience has been that the tab bends - It feels like its going to break off soon. I guess I'll have to remove the spark plugs (its an olds engine, they're above the headers) and try again. Thanks for your info.

As already mentioned that particular tool is a piece of crap. Toss it, get a quality tool. I know that's not what you wanted to hear, but facts are facts. :thumbsup:

A pair of vise grips works just fine.

I've had good luck using a grinder wrench that has the two posts. I hook on post to the inside of the flywheel and the other engages between two teeth. Handy and and worked well for me.

I've had good luck using a grinder wrench that has the two posts. I hook on post to the inside of the flywheel and the other engages between two teeth. Handy and and worked well for me.

That is an excellent idea. I may have to try that.

Stay away from the Summit racing flywheel turning tool, JUNK !!! Lasted one tranny change. Tab cracked.

break out the cutoff wheels and take the tab off by grinding the welds off. the higher end tools don't even have that tab there.

I've got one of the cheapys myself, and its last through about 10 "jobs". Its been a great investment for me. I got mine off of Ebay. I will admit that the first time I used it, it slipped off and I punched myself in the nose...when my buddy stopped laughing and showed me how to use it correctly, its been perfect ever since.

break out the cutoff wheels and take the tab off by grinding the welds off. the higher end tools don't even have that tab there.

That is what I did too, and it is no longer an issue and won't slip off any more.

Cut that tab!

Glad I read this, was about to buy one. So who makes the best one?

Thanks for the ideas. tab comes off on Friday.

Ernie and Abe Both of you have been here a number of years, I guess you are the quiet type huh.