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If you are running that engine for 5 minutes or longer without the cooling shroud, you are in danger of solving your problem permanently. Walt Conner

I can send you a Service Manual IF you like, address below, put in proper format and remind me model number and what you want. Walt Conner wconner5 at frontier dot com

Welcome, Walt Conner

That the spindle, axle, that the governor runs on is tight in the casting, and the camshaft bearing bosses, especially in the block, is not cracked. Walt Conner

I don't see anything wrong either but I suspect what you are worrying about is the least of your worries if it threw a rod. Crankshaft journal would be my first concern along with the camshaft bearing boss in the block and camshaft. Governor spindle also. Walt Conner

Welcome from east central Illinois, Walt Conner

bcliquidforce, Forum Newbie, Not off to a very good start with only 3 posts. Walt Conner

I have reused bolts for 65 years, no problem except I did buy new grade 8 bolts from local farm supply store when installing new sump gasket in V Twin B&S because of greatly increased torque spec. due to chronic sump gasket leaks with 40 and 44 series engines. Walt Conner

IF you really like the saw and don't want to send it to the land fill, do a little thinking, perhaps you can fabricate a replacement part OR, remove, cut out, shroud and do something simple like attach a scavenged rope spool to the flywheel side if only using occasionally. Necessity is the...

You might use something like SeaFoam in your fuel per instructions on container before getting into tearing things down, some people have had very good luck with it. Never used it myself, never needed to. Walt Conner

No problem other than the alternator may be different. Those will interchange if they are different and you can't figure out the wiring change. Walt Conner

I think it would be incredible to twist or affect alignment of the crankshaft of a B&S V twin. As for installing seals, they make a tool for that but IF I experience problems, I wrap a short pc. of thin plastic film around the upset area and slide the seal on. Walt Conner

OP didn't give the full model number but I don't recall a cast iron B&S engine in either series 17 or 19? Walt Conner

I have a tried and proven permanent slipped valve guide fix along with others sent to me with permission to share, much better than just center punching around them. Address below IF you are interested, put in proper format and remind me engine model and what you want. Walt Conner wconner5 at...

I would disconnect the "Kill" wires from the base of both ignition coils and see if the problem clears up. IF it does, your problem is in the "Kill wire" harness as suggested above. That is fairly common. You will then have to stop your engine from the test by pulling plug wires or shutting off...

There may be set back requirements for instance, my subdivision calls for no permanent structure within 5 ft. of property line but neighbor put fence right on line anyway. I didn't report him as he was the Personal Rep. for a company I was trying to get on at, I did. Neighbor behind did mow a...

Welcome from east central Illinois, Walt Conner

Welcome from east central Illinois, Walt Conner

You DO NOT want the engine you sent me the link too!! That is an old engine, not a Vanguard at all a discontinued opposed twin and 21 hp is stretching it! Strongly suggest you look for a complete mower maybe with bad deck, front axle, transmission and salvage the engine after checking of...

Well maybe I used the wrong terminology. I should have said "Not practical" to repair. A couple of big things is cracked camshaft bearing tower in the block and damage to the cylinder typically at the bottom in these cases, damage to the governor spindle and or the engine casting holding the...

First off the crank journal has to be perfect, getting "most" of the metal transfer off doesn't cut it. There may be scoring under the remaining deposit. Also, check the camshaft bearing journals in the block, these sometimes get cracked. Also the camshaft. About 1 in five of these engines I...

The V twin B&S engine has a reputation of leaking sump gaskets and the replacement one is expensive coming with new high strenth bolts for increased torque specs. I made my own gasket and bought new Grade 8 bolts in the bulk from local farm supply store at a fraction of B&S price. Works for me -...

Valve guides should not extend more than 1/8" above the head casting. From what you say about the conditions under the cooling shroud, I suspect heat has caused the valve guides to slip regardless of what you say about being able to push the valve further and bent push rods are a further...

When asking an engine question, it is always helpful to know what engine you are talking about. As a long time follower of this (under a different sign in) and other forums. do not bet against an expert such as bertsmobile1 and certainly do not disrespect them. Walt Conner

Since it is fairly common for push rods to find their way into the crankcase, it would not be unusual for a valve cap to. I am not aware of there only being one cap though the early engines apparently did not have caps according to the Service Manual. Since you have a very wide gap where you...

I can send you a Service Manual for your engine IF you like. Address below, put in proper format and remind me engine model number and what you want. Walt Conner wconner5 at frontier dot com

As said above, I suspect a valve guide has move. Should not be more than 1/8" above head casting. B&S says no fix, I have permanent and cheap fix IF that is the problem. I can send you a Service Manual and Fix IF you want, address below, put in proper format and remind me engine model number and...

"I thought there was supposed to be a bump on the exhaust (according to others)." Be careful where you get your info from. "Others" don't always know. Most B&S engines relieve compression thru the Intake Valve. Vanguard twins are the exception. I can send you a Service Manual for the engine...

Use a puller, but I question if auto store is going to have the proper puller. I have pictures of hole punched in top of engine from prying method. Block is very thin in some places there. You can easily make a proper puller yourself. Walt Conner

I am not clear on what it is that is 1/4" "longer". Did you check the valve guide height as suggested above? Push rods do not bend for no reason. The valve guides should not be more than 1/8" above the head casting. I suspect that the exhaust valve guide has moved which is not repairable...

Good luck on you fix. The good news is that B&S 46 series engine was originally called a 20 hp. Later it went to 22 hp. Yours with a 16.5 hp sticker probably means it is among the last ones made. B&S discontinued flahead, "L" Head, engines due to government regulations. They used up the last...

"I'm certain I installed it correctly as far as which side faces the sump." One side of the inside of the crankshaft timing gear is beveled making it very unlikely to be able fit the sump on properly as incorrectly installed crankshaft timing gear will hold block and sump apart. Walt Conner

Model number was in the post title. Walt Conner

A "chuckle" is normal for these engines indicating that someone liked the sound of the engine idling too slowly as suspected above causing some wear in top main due to lack of lube. Increase idle speed to closer to recommended specks and don't worry about it. Walt Conner

As a side note of information, the anti-back fire solenoid on the carb has absolutely nothing to do with the possibility of the carb float not sealing and flooding gas thru the carb into crankcase. You did properly torque the flywheel nut/bolt when installing new key? Walt Conner

While it could possible be the valve clearance, it is very unlikely on this engine. Much more likely is excessive carbon build up in the cylinder heads as you may have suspected from your question. Next bad cable connections especially where the ground cable attaches to the frame. The starter...

Hmm, a 35 inch "L" head 16 hp B&S has me curious? Walt Conner

Continuity thru diode in one direction only. Both ways, bad, neither way bad. Check to ground. IF bad, the Stater from practically any B&S will interchange. Just needs to be same, diode just ahead of plug. That type very common. Walt Conner

Sounds to me like you have more than one problem. Walt Conner

Before replacing coil on this engine, disconnect the Kill wire from the base of each coil and see if it starts. More common that diode in Kill Wire Hardness fails than coil. Walt Conner

Well that engine was due for a valve adjustment a good 200 hours ago so why don't you start with that and go from there? Walt Conner

Several places have a cheap device called "Vibratac" which is cheap and accurate enough for your purpose. This does not need to be a precise deal. Walt Conner

I can send you a PDF of the Service Manual for your engine if you like which will include information you need now and in future. Address below, put in proper format and remind me engine model number and what you want. Walt Conner wconner5 at frontier dot com

I am not able to access that link but if you don't see or feel that additional movement then the compression release is bad, quite common with this series engine. Walt Conner

I tried to send you a reply and a Service Manual but it bounced due to bad address?? I have sent another one. I no longer have a 44 series cam to examine but I think dot to dot. Walt Conner

Same answer as other forum, Walt Conner

When asking an engine question it is always helpful to post the engine model number. HP does not identify the engine. Guessing it is an OHV single cylinder engine, check the valve clearance first thing. IF clearance is within spec, .003" - .005" for the Intake clearance is OK. Then remove the...

Well that engine has an easy start cam grind on the Intake valve cam lobes for compression release. Often the starter on these wear the top bushing out, oblong, letting the armature drag on the field. I re-bush the end plate/mounting plate when this happens. As said above, check using a good...

I suspect the next thing you will notice is a loud bang as the connecting rod lets go due to failure of the oil slinger mechanism from using that additive. Walt Conner.

Yeah, set Intake to min. Walt Conner