Honda GCV 160 blade clutch on Craftsman mower

[Snagglefoot]

I just started working on this Craftsman mower with a Honda GCV 160. There is a blade clutch beneath the engine that has a cable to the safety bar attached to the handle. The cable is OK and moves freely when disconnected from the safety bar, but it cannot move when attached to the bar. It can’t pull the clutch mechanism to get the blade to start spinning. Has anyone had some luck with lubricating the appropriate points? It’s a 944.362200 which 20 years old. Thanks.

PS: I posted the view beneath the engine. You can see where the cable is connected to a pivot point. The cable moves freely within the plastic when I slack it off but cannot pull the lever on the clutch,

 

[shortyb]

I think your clutch is seized, which is common if it sits a long time unused. Did you try some PB (or other penetrant) to free it up? That and a dead blow hammer should pop it free. If not, time to disassemble the clutch. Not difficult.

Here is a parts diagram from a Honda mower with a GCV 160 and a blade clutch (Roto-Stop) for reference:

https://parts.shankslawn.com/oemparts/a/hpe/505ce4aef870022d24bdc7b4/rotary-blade-2

 

[Snagglefoot]

I removed the clutch and bearing. There was some dirt clogging the clearances. I’m wondering is there is a certain torque to make up the nut again or is one Ugga Dugga enough.

Also, the photo shows the tab connected to the plate that should be moving to the right when the cable is pulled. So far it seems jammed however there are two fairly strong springs holding in in position and the control handle broke when I was trying to overcome the stuck mechanism, doh! There also seems to be a couple of ball bearings riding in a groove next to the plate. Anyone know how many ball bearings should be involved? Thanks.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Here are items 6,7 and 8 which seem to put pressure on the clutch when the control cable is pulled. Looks like it has 3 ball bearings.

 

[shortyb]

Yes, there are three balls between the brake plate and the ball plate. The ball plate acts like a ramp when the cable pulls it in a rotational manner. That pushes the two plates apart via the balls and engages the clutch, thus allowing the blades to rotate. I haven't measured, but I believe it goes about a total of 1/4". The ball plate has a tab (circled in red on your post) on it that fits in a groove on the brake plate that acts as a wear indicator. Torque for the center 1.0 x 24 flange bolt is 49-59 Nm or 36-43 lb/ft per the service manual.