422707-121401 sump gasket

Forest#2

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Take a look at this video for a engine model same as yours.
This guy is making the static governor adjustment. (opposite of the recommended procedure)

422707-1275-1
Setting governor for Briggs L Head opposed twin 18hp

Keep in mind that the governor shaft only moves approx 90 degrees or less full travel.
After making a static governor adjust if the engine is overspeeding I do as this guy and adjust the governor just the opposite.
I've seen some Briggs engines that the governor shaft had to be adjusted completely backwards of what the service manual indicates to keep from overspeeding and to get lower rpms per the throttle.


With the engine not running and the throttle set to idle manually turning the governor shaft through it complete range should move the carb throttle shaft towards idle. If not the springs and or linkages on the throttle plate is binding or wrong.
 

McTurff

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Take a look at this video for a engine model same as yours.
This guy is making the static governor adjustment. (opposite of the recommended procedure)

422707-1275-1
Setting governor for Briggs L Head opposed twin 18hp

Keep in mind that the governor shaft only moves approx 90 degrees or less full travel.
After making a static governor adjust if the engine is overspeeding I do as this guy and adjust the governor just the opposite.
I've seen some Briggs engines that the governor shaft had to be adjusted completely backwards of what the service manual indicates to keep from overspeeding and to get lower rpms per the throttle.


With the engine not running and the throttle set to idle manually turning the governor shaft through it complete range should move the carb throttle shaft towards idle. If not the springs and or linkages on the throttle plate is binding or wrong.
Take a look at this video for a engine model same as yours.
This guy is making the static governor adjustment. (opposite of the recommended procedure)

422707-1275-1
Setting governor for Briggs L Head opposed twin 18hp

Keep in mind that the governor shaft only moves approx 90 degrees or less full travel.
After making a static governor adjust if the engine is overspeeding I do as this guy and adjust the governor just the opposite.
I've seen some Briggs engines that the governor shaft had to be adjusted completely backwards of what the service manual indicates to keep from overspeeding and to get lower rpms per the throttle.


With the engine not running and the throttle set to idle manually turning the governor shaft through it complete range should move the carb throttle shaft towards idle. If not the springs and or linkages on the throttle plate is binding or wrong.
Take a look at this video for a engine model same as yours.
This guy is making the static governor adjustment. (opposite of the recommended procedure)

422707-1275-1
Setting governor for Briggs L Head opposed twin 18hp

Keep in mind that the governor shaft only moves approx 90 degrees or less full travel.
After making a static governor adjust if the engine is overspeeding I do as this guy and adjust the governor just the opposite.
I've seen some Briggs engines that the governor shaft had to be adjusted completely backwards of what the service manual indicates to keep from overspeeding and to get lower rpms per the throttle.


With the engine not running and the throttle set to idle manually turning the governor shaft through it complete range should move the carb throttle shaft towards idle. If not the springs and or linkages on the throttle plate is binding or wrong.
I have watched that video and every video on static adjustment tried to adjust both ways!
My Govenor arm moves throttle plate as it should open an closed with engine at idle!
The other thing is if you turn the governor shaft the opposite direction the arm locks up so you know it won't work that direction it only goes one way or works one way or direction!
 
Last edited:

McTurff

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Ok went through more tests and all suggestions for my problem!
No change
Just to clarify when I remove springs from governor arm the engine should go to idle??
Mine dose not !
I am going to open the engine up again this weekend and see if governor came off when reinstalling or the governor arm is flipped which i don't think it did!
But other than that unless someone has any other ideas I don't know what else to do!
I can't find anything on the internet and beyond that someone has had the issue im having!
The only other thing i can think of is the governor cap or weights that hit the governor arm flap are not connecting??
If that's the case something could be bent but I just did not see that was the case when I opened the engine up last time!
 

bentrim

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How about a lesson on how a governor works??
The governor contained in the crankcase has two flyweights on it and the lever on the flyweight forces the thimble away from the gear.
The thimble applies force to the lever on the end of the shaft that passes thru the case and has the arm mounted on it. When everything is functioning properly, The weights "fly" out pushing the thimble apply force to the flat spot on the end of the shaft that pass to the outside.
If every thing is adjusted properly, and every thing functions, you start the engine and at any speed even idle and the arm WILL be forced to close the throttle plate.
A governor controls the speed by balancing the force from the flyweights against the pull of the governor spring. So with no spring hooked up the engine should go right to idle.
While you have the pan off spin the governor gear, checking that the weights "fly" out and the gear spins freely, and the thimble is free to move on the shaft and is against the levers of the flyweights. Be sure the governor arm is turned so it is over the governor before closing the crankcase.
To properly adjust a governor move the throttle to wide open. Note which way the governor shaft turns to open the carburetor. Loosen the pinch bolt and continue to turn the shaft so it would open the throttle (same direction as the shaft moves when opening the throttle), Tighten pinch bolt. This adjustment collapses the thimble into the weights and syncronizes the carb to the governor.


Just to clarify when I remove springs from governor arm the engine should go to idle?? YES

As bfore be sure 1. the shaft is turned so it can contact the governor when the pan is reinstalled. 2. Before closing the case observe governor weights should be fully retracted and the thimble colapsed into the weights. 3 Be sure all linkage moves freely and nothing hangs up.

Governors can be used on carburetored engines from less the 1 horsepower to large engine of over 1000 horsepower and all mechanical governors function the same and need syncronized to the carburetor by using the same procedure.
 

McTurff

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How about a lesson on how a governor works??
The governor contained in the crankcase has two flyweights on it and the lever on the flyweight forces the thimble away from the gear.
The thimble applies force to the lever on the end of the shaft that passes thru the case and has the arm mounted on it. When everything is functioning properly, The weights "fly" out pushing the thimble apply force to the flat spot on the end of the shaft that pass to the outside.
If every thing is adjusted properly, and every thing functions, you start the engine and at any speed even idle and the arm WILL be forced to close the throttle plate.
A governor controls the speed by balancing the force from the flyweights against the pull of the governor spring. So with no spring hooked up the engine should go right to idle.
While you have the pan off spin the governor gear, checking that the weights "fly" out and the gear spins freely, and the thimble is free to move on the shaft and is against the levers of the flyweights. Be sure the governor arm is turned so it is over the governor before closing the crankcase.
To properly adjust a governor move the throttle to wide open. Note which way the governor shaft turns to open the carburetor. Loosen the pinch bolt and continue to turn the shaft so it would open the throttle (same direction as the shaft moves when opening the throttle), Tighten pinch bolt. This adjustment collapses the thimble into the weights and syncronizes the carb to the governor.


Just to clarify when I remove springs from governor arm the engine should go to idle?? YES

As bfore be sure 1. the shaft is turned so it can contact the governor when the pan is reinstalled. 2. Before closing the case observe governor weights should be fully retracted and the thimble colapsed into the weights. 3 Be sure all linkage moves freely and nothing hangs up.

Governors can be used on carburetored engines from less the 1 horsepower to large engine of over 1000 horsepower and all mechanical governors function the same and need syncronized to the carburetor by using the same procedure.
Thanks I know how the governor operates!
More now than ever
I have read and watched more videos than I could imagine
I will be going back in and paying more attention to detail!
This will be my 3rd time inside this engine so hopefully it is a charm!
Thank You for taking time for the detailed replies really appreciate it!
 

Forest#2

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Just to clarify when I remove springs from governor arm the engine should go to idle?? YES

Just to clairfy.
If it will not go to idle (or slower RPM's) with the governor spring removed or the governor disabled, this throttle control problem lower rpm needs to be repaired BEFORE addressing the governor.
(because the external mechanical throttle control is not allowing the governor to operate correctly)
 

bentrim

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Does moving the governor arm to the slow position control the engine speed? without the engine running?
From all that you have posted I question if the lever of the governor arm is. turned properly and the governor is pushing against it -- because you have no force moving the arm toward idle speed. Even seasoned mechanics have made that mistake.
Without the governor spring hooked up there should be force trying to push the throttle plate closed --- engine running
The spring is supposed to oppose the governor, and the governor should oppose the spring, so the engine runs at the desired speed. More spring pull equals more governor resistance.
 

McTurff

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Does moving the governor arm to the slow position control the engine speed? without the engine running?
From all that you have posted I question if the lever of the governor arm is. turned properly and the governor is pushing against it -- because you have no force moving the arm toward idle speed. Even seasoned mechanics have made that mistake.
Without the governor spring hooked up there should be force trying to push the throttle plate closed --- engine running
The spring is supposed to oppose the governor, and the governor should oppose the spring, so the engine runs at the desired speed. More spring pull equals more governor resistance.
 

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McTurff

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Got it apart and this is how the arm tab has looked each time!
And first time I opened engine governor was in place and arm the same!
When I removed springs it was still wide open!
Have tried adjustment on governor every which way
I'm trying to stay persistent the motor fires right up so its something that has to be fixable
Its really a pretty clean tractor I don't think anyone dis anything other than mess with carburetor but that's not the issue
 

McTurff

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Joined
Jul 12, 2025
Threads
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Messages
41
Does moving the governor arm to the slow position control the engine speed? without the engine running?
From all that you have posted I question if the lever of the governor arm is. turned properly and the governor is pushing against it -- because you have no force moving the arm toward idle speed. Even seasoned mechanics have made that mistake.
Without the governor spring hooked up there should be force trying to push the throttle plate closed --- engine running
The spring is supposed to oppose the governor, and the governor should oppose the spring, so the engine runs at the desired speed. More spring pull equals more governor resistance.
Added a picture of arm and tab
I can take more if it helps
Does moving the governor arm to the slow position control the engine speed? without the engine running?
From all that you have posted I question if the lever of the governor arm is. turned properly and the governor is pushing against it -- because you have no force moving the arm toward idle speed. Even seasoned mechanics have made that mistake.
Without the governor spring hooked up there should be force trying to push the throttle plate closed --- engine running
The spring is supposed to oppose the governor, and the governor should oppose the spring, so the engine runs at the desired speed. More spring pull equals more governor resistance.
Does moving the governor arm to the slow position control the engine speed? without the engine running?
From all that you have posted I question if the lever of the governor arm is. turned properly and the governor is pushing against it -- because you have no force moving the arm toward idle speed. Even seasoned mechanics have made that mistake.
Without the governor spring hooked up there should be force trying to push the throttle plate closed --- engine running
The spring is supposed to oppose the governor, and the governor should oppose the spring, so the engine runs at the desired speed. More spring pull equals more governor resistance.
 
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