I have a little trouble trying to get the fly wheel and starter gear off my '31 motor and wonder if I'm doing it right. I loosened the 4 bolts and tried tapping it off with a hammer but it didn't budge. Didn't want to get carried away. I did spray it with WD40 before I came in. I still have the bell housing on and figured that would come next. Any suggestions? Thanks,
jerrygolf

Only two fasteners hold on the starter. A stud with nut at the top and a removable bolt at the bottom. It is not unusual for the starter nose to fit tightly into the clutch housing, however a gentle nudge should free it. After the starter is removed, then you can continue to disassemble the transmission, flywheel and finally the housing.

If I read jerrygolf's posting correctly, he is asking how to remove the flywheel and ring gear assembly, not the starter. Is that correct jerrygolf?

JunkYardDog, you are correct. I should have said flywheel and ring gear. I already have the clutch and transmission off. I want to take the flywheel & housing off to bolt it to the motor stand so I can work on it. Right now it's hanging on a chain hoist. With reference to another current tread, "1929-1931 engine flush", I plan on having my engine head and block boiled out before putting together. Thanks guys.

Jerry,
There is a pin in the back of the crankshaft. Some times it takes a little knudging to get the flywheel to come off. Put a couple of the bolts back in loosely. Tap on the flwheel with a piece of wood between the hammer and flywheel. Rotate the flywheel about 90 degrees and tap it again. Repeat until it begins to wiggle. It may take some force to get it to begin to break loose. Take care as it is easy to pinch your pinkies or smash your toes taking the flywheel off.

Flywheel and bell housing off. Tapped it like you said CheyChip but when I got the pin lined up where I was to pound on it I gave it a couple extra hits and it came loose. Thanks guys. No pinched fingers either.

Jerry,
I always say "tap" 'cause if I say pound or hammer or other stronger term somebody will take a 8 lb maul (aka sledge hammer) and swing from his heals. Then when he breaks something, it is my fault. I understand "tap" can mean itty-bitty hammer with blows that don't even make any noise to some but I would rather err on that end than the other.

As far as the pinkies, that one was from experience. A heavy flywheel in a tight space just seems to move the wrong way when you don't expect it and then OUCH! Followed by "That sure was stupid!" or maybe something else not printable. Remember this is a family site.