Engine Trouble Woodruff key keeps coming out

I thought a too-small key would break or chew up the keyway and it would have to be absolutely tiny to actually escape from under the gear, but I haven't tried it lol.
As blindfolded mechanics we can't assume that the engine ever had a screw holding the gear on. :ROFLMAO:
Yeah unless his screw came off the shaft It either partially sheared and started grinding or idk what. All I know is if there's too much slop in the key way it will start "hammering" and won't hold. I think he said it happens when he engaged the clutch meaning he's releasing the lever pretty fast probably. He also said the small gear was spinning freely, it should spin it's connected to the whole rotating mass, crank, rod, piston. Maybe he isn't tightening the screw enough for the gear? sometimes the gears are tricky as they should ideally be flush with the clutch wheel but on most engines they aren't fully seated from factory.
I can't get the gear to seat flush. I've tried everything. Including using some wood and hitting it with a hammer.
 
Try heating the gear with a blowtorch and put the motor in a freezer for a few hours then try tapping it on with wood or a mallet. Oh you probably tried that though, just blame Chinese manufacturing in that case.
 
Try heating the gear with a blowtorch and put the motor in a freezer for a few hours then try tapping it on with wood or a mallet. Oh you probably tried that though, just blame Chinese manufacturing in that case.
Here's some photos.
 
They need to put square keys in these shafts they would work so much better then the woodruff keys
 
The key can not come out with the gear on, the half moon shape prevents it, if the key fits tight in the keyway. Go to the local hardware store and find a couple of keys, maybe you can find a tighter fit.
 

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my woodruff key kept comming out on my old bike engine the drive gear never fully covers it and it creeps out the backside it was cut too far back on that engine
 
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