[Jackson.B]

I was recently given a kemp chipper shredder because the previous owner could not get it running, I found the flywheel key was sheared so I replaced it. The engine fired and ran great, after a few minutes I shut it down, when I went to restart it but the flywheel clutch was loose from the crankshaft, I can put it back on and run the engine but every time I shut it down the clutch backs itself off. The clutch spins freely by hand. It is a briggs 5 hp horizontal shaft engine. Any ideas?

 

[suspicionofignorance]

Perhaps a concave washer under the clutch is missing ?

 

[38racing]

Perhaps a concave washer under the clutch is missing ?

and are you torquing it to 55 ft-lbs? There is a tool for tightening it that allows use of torque wrench
Banta Saw - Small Engine Parts and Accessories

 

[markusedma]

Flywheel on engine or flywheel of chipper keeps coming loose?

 

[Jackson.B]

The flywheel on the engine is coming loose, The concave washer is there, I don't have a way of checking torque on the flywheel clutch but I have never had one come loose before. I am going to take the clutch apart and clean it today to see if it helps any. Thanks

 

[3v0]

Would be better to try proper torque first, but if that don't work lap the flywheel to the crankshaft. Put valve lapping compound on the matting surface without the key in place. Rock the flywheel like you do a valve when you lap it. As you improve the fit the friction between the flywheel and crank increases.

My disclaimer is that I expect that you can overdo this and wind up bending a crank down the road. If the clutch slips with a jambed shredder I would not worry.

So far I have only had one engine that sheared keys even with proper torque. Lapping did the trick.