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Flywheel – Clockwise or Anti Clockwise & Fault Finding
The flywheel should rotate ANTI clockwise on LD’s.
To see it in motion, here is a useful video, alomg with a fault finding video or another Lambretta (2nd Video is NOT an LD, so Flywheel rotates Clockwise at the end of the video).
- 1956 150 LD – Showing Anticlockwise Movement: https://youtu.be/_2A5xHPAcn4
- Info and fault finding (Not an LD and therefore rotates Clockwise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBoI6dcYt5A
- Timing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0yGOyyzcfg
- Lambretta Wont Start: http://www.lambretta.co.uk/downloads/wontstart.html
- General Tips (LD and others!) http://www.lambretta.net/lambretta-tech-center.htm#ignition
Woodruff Key Sheared
I came across this post that is worth a look at. It’s not a Lambretta, but the same rules apply. It’s worth a review!
The key serves three purposes: 1) To keep the engine in time, 2) to forcefully cut the timing out if something is at fault or binds on the other end 3) it lines up the flywheel when you fit the flywheel to the crank.
Note: It does not stop the flywheel spinning on the crank. The grip of the taper on the flywheel does that.
Note: A serious flaw with the crankshaft or flywheel, should be quite visual and noticeable.
Key Sheared Issues
- The most common issue is that the flywheel nut is not done up tight enough. NB: You should be using a Lambretta flywheel tool to tighten it (Around £8 to £12 depending on seller)
- A poor fit between the crank and flywheel will will cause the key to shear.
- Having a wrong key with it being to big can be a problem if it it is not fitting correctly.
- If the flywheel SLOT is damaged or worn and has some play, this can cause issues.
- The key may be moving forward out of the slot.
- Check the SLOT on the Flywheel. If the Slot is damaged and or worn or has some play, it will shear the Key.
NB: There is a lot of force applied when stopping and starting, on the Key, as well as the Weight of the Flywheel itself.
Lambretta 1957 LD Woodfuff Key Kept Sheering – Alans experience:
When Alan rebuilt an engine on a 1957 LD, he replaced the piston rings. He managed to get the engine running but within a minute the piston seized. Fortunately he had another piston ( both standard 57 ). He purchased another set of rings from the same supplier but found that it was difficult getting the piston into the pot. On further inspection he found that even when compressing the rings fully to the piston pins they still stood proud beyond the piston and as they travelled in the pot on either the downward or upward stroke they jammed on the inlet or exhaust ports. On further examination he found the rings were 2-3 thou thicker than the originals. Upon installing the original rings back on the piston, the engine is running fine.
Still have a fault?
Either send me an email, or consider popping over to the LCGB Forum Link and seeing if they can help (You need to create an account!) – http://www.ilambretta.co.uk/forum/
Emails will be responded to and added to this website as a Right Side / News Post (Excluding your information), in case my reply gets sent to your Junk / Spam area.