Yup, engine has to come out. Pull the belt off and pull the variable speed sheave off. trust me it wont come out with the sheave on, don't ask me how I know. Make sure to mark or find the two alignment marks on the two sheave half's so you can put it back together right, it ia a balanced assembly. aside from that pulling the engine is pretty easy and straight forward. But it is heavier than it looks so be prepared some how so you don't drop it. If you pull the back door off you might be able to put a cart of some sort at the same height as the engine to slide it on to. Then just pull the cooling tin off and there is the flywheel. pull the nut, and hit the crankshaft with a hammer and the flywheel should pop off. just be sure not to damage the end of the crank, a bar centered in the crank works as does a brass hammer. To remove the ring gear I use a air chisel, one or two little bursts on the gear it falls right off. Some guys heat the new ring gear,some guys press the ring gear and others just pound the new one on. I use the heat method, works good for me. It isn't as big of project as it seems, but pulling the sheave off the crank can be a bear, it's a tapered shaft and they get real tight. Also a good time to replace your belt if it looks like it might need replacing. There are guys on here that can give verry detailed instruction on pulling the sheave, any one else want ti chime in?
