I finally decided to tear this thing down to convert and I have some questions.
How do you get the flywheel off?
Is the cluth boss the nut?
Is it left or right hand thread?
I had intended to start by using the stock iginition system, but if the flywheel stays on what do you attach the prop adapter too?
Is this engine a good canidate for conversion?
Any advice from you guys that have done this will be much appreciated.

Thomas

If it has the rectangular clutch use a 3/8 or 1/2 inch ratchet,stick it in the slot and turn it counter clockwise to remove.There should be an arrow or 2 on the nut.Then just tap 2 screwdrivers under the flywheel and tap the clutch nut,DO NOt hit the threads without a nut or something on top of them.
Forgot to mention,post a pic.Im converting a 200 AD right now.

I got the clutch out. Its body is the retaining nut. I tried the 3/8 ratchet and it broke the sides, so I just used vise grips. However I haven't got the flywheel off. On lawnmower engines, I always put the nut on and a sharp blow with a hammer shocked the flywheel off. There are two threaded holes on the flywheel that appear to be used with a puller of some sort. I guess I will fab up some sort of puller before I resort to the hammer tecnique.
I will try to post a picture with this. The last shot is with the clutch removed

The "hammer trick" will work here too. Just wedge a couple of screwdrivers under the flywheel, screw a nut on the crank to protect it, and give it a whack. The flywheel should pop right off.

AV8TOR

Well the hammer trick worked and the engine is disasembled. The bad news now is I'm afraid its only good for parts. I lived for 3 1/2 years on the Mississippi coast and this trimmer was in my shop during Hurricane Katrina. It appears it got salt water in it as the main bearings have visable rust and are tight. The rod and wrist pin bearings are tight and I think they may be rusty. I could probably replace the mains, but I don't think the rod and wristpin bearings are replacing.
Time for plan B.

Bummer..... I had a 50 horse outboard engine like that. The prevous owner said it ran one day and when he went to start it the next day it wouldn't turn over. He thought there was something wrong with the lower unit/drive. It was in my storage for a couple of years. Finally tore into it one day to see what it would take to fix it, and it was pretty much just a rusted mass inside the engine. The only thing I saved were some bolts and nuts. I soaked it in various oils for days, used heat, etc. but the pistons were so frozen with rust in the cylinders I couldn't even attempt to save the block. (And I have saved some really badly rusted blocks before in my life!)

Oh well, at least these conversion engines are cheap and relatively easy to find....

AV8TOR