Anybody got any ideas on how to remove the crankshaft on a 31cc Ryobi weedeater?

Hi Greg,
You can strip down the engine and put it in a large vise with a peice of wood behind the case. If it is a long shaft, you will need a big vise. You may have to cut a hole in the wood to allow the shaft to come all the way out. This is hard on the cheap bearings. Get some new high quality bearings when you are ready to reassemble it. It is easier to trim the case with intregal shroud. Just use the old case as is with the new cylinder and see how it runs. It is a wast of time pulling the shaft unless you are going to use good bearings from your local bearing house. I'm sure that the metro-plex has some great deals on bearings, just take the old ones to them for a match. Remember that there is a seal at the front of the shaft to maintain base compression.

Dave

Thanks again Dave. I think I'll just use the old case with the new head and piston.

Good idea. If it doesn't run well, you can worry about it then. What was wrong with the old motor? I just got a McCulloch 33cc chain saw, a Weedeater 30cc and a Ryobi from my garbageman. He sees a lot of good motors in the trash as he works. It's a great connection. The Ryobi was run without oil. It ruined the top end, but a lot of good parts there.

Dave

Top end is gone. Cylinder, piston and con rod all bad. It still runs, just badly. Its my first look at a ryobi motor up close. I have really got the bug to do one of these conversions. Just trying to gather as much info before I dive in.