Wow - blowtorch worked. Loud pop and it launched off. Also used IMPACT wrench.

Here is a photo of the stator. I don't think there's any damage. Now to replace the chain...

Not sure I want to ever pull a flywheel off again.

Yes - thank you. Not a mechanic - simply a wannabe. Learning from YouTube, the service manual and OPT.

Time to wrap this up. Here is what's left of my base (cylinder) gasket. And what the cylinder looks like when you miss a step in the manual. When I took off the last 4 bolts in the water jacket it came off with a light tap.
Attachment 28168Attachment 28167

Even the best mechanics started out not knowing much, except OPT, he was born knowing this stuff. :lol:

The only thing you really need to know about torque wrenches is that you NEVER use one to loosen nuts and bolts, because it could take enough torque to break the wrench before they come loose. I have a cheap torque wrench that measures the torque by how much the handle bends while the pointer stays straight. It works well enough for AR-15 barrels and a few other things. It's better than just guessing but if I was a mechanic I'd have a good one.

I can see why it was leaking just looking at the wrinkled base gasket. Plus you did do a number on that cylinder:) Clean that nasty looking stator and flywheel up while you have it apart. Cheap electrical contact cleaner is fine to use.Plus MARK the stator plate and engine case before you remove the plate. Check for any up and down play on the rod. Hopefully none.Plus keep some rags in the bottom end to keep it clean as possible.

Got it, thank you. Can you please look at the sprocket and Woodroof key? Not sure if I need to remove them. Hard to tell if the sprocket is worn. Someone has been in here before, they made a mess of the screws. The key looks like it's pushed up a bit at the end?

Flywheel key looks ok as well as the lower crank sprocket teeth. Just noticed this gap is the slotted nut I'm looking at. You can remove it and check the sprocket key out. Feeling kinda goofy today,just had a root canal done yesterday.. And I'm sore.. :(

U guess looking at mechanical teeth doesn't help you recover from the root canal.

Something is not right with the key - it might just not be in there right. Maybe I should pull it out to look at it?

Just realized that I was looking at one cut away slots on the slotted nut holding the crank sprocket..You can pull the nut off (remember left hand threads) and check the condition of the key. If the sprocket has any side to side play,replace the key. Use blue loc tite on the shaft threads and then the slotted nut. You don't need the slotted nut tool. Just tighten by hand and then use a punch and hammer to final tighten the slotted nut. Fairly snug but don't break the nut.. :)