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I purchased used Simplicity Conquest with Briggs 23 hp. Both push rods were off in one cylinder, but appeared undamaged. I cleaned mouse nest and puts rods back on.
I checked gap - ok. I ran for two hours and all is fine. BUT should I replace the head? Can worse damage occur?

You should be fine.... If anything was damaged it would be the head gasket.... Run it and after 10 minutes pull the dipstick if smoke or steam comes out then the head gasket is bad..............

Let us know Mon Ami

Well the push rods came out for some reason. Check that the valve guides are not more than 1/8" above the head casting. IF one or more is, I have a tried and true fix. I can send it and a Service Manual IF you like. Address below, put in proper format and remind me the engine model number and what you want.

Walt Conner
wconner5 at frontier dot com

Tinker is right about the valve guides........ But if your mower runs good then you are in good shape.......

NOW if you have the valves adjusted just right and then you have an issue, Then it will be time to investigate the head........

Let us know Mon Ami ~!~!

Hutch if you do have a issue with your head itself, then use this video as a guide to help you along .........

Skip to the 18 minute part and the guide is explained how much it should be above the head casting.........If you want to watch the comedy skit at the beginning and the end....

https://youtu.be/Pl5vNccJwQs

Plus Tard Mon Ami ~!~!

Well I watched part of the video. Might be OK if you didn't have to put up with all the BS. When I have something to fix that is what I am interested in. I can tell you this, that head can be repaired so it will stay and be more certain that a new head and the cost is a new head gasket, not $150. As I said before, dozens and dozens of people have use my fix over the last 10 - 12 years. I have heard nothing but good reports.

Walt Conner

As suggested I cut grass for 10 minutes, checked the dip stick, not smoke came out. I'l watch the video.

How do I Check that the valve guides are not more than 1/8" above the head casting? And thank you all.

Hutchinshills said:

How do I Check that the valve guides are not more than 1/8" above the head casting? And thank you all.

Click to expand...

The valve cover has to come off....... Get a flashlight and look inside the spring.. You should see it...... But when you watch the video the actual height is about a 1/4 of an inch..... I see that all the time in my shop....

Like I said before if your mower is running good and you don't have an issue with your push rods coming out again in the near future then you are in good shape......

You said you ran it and pulled the oil stick and every thing was fine.......Good on your part Mon Ami ...........

In other words If if ain't BROKE don't FIX it ......... LOL ~!~!~~!

Let us know Mon Ami .... Keep us informed in the future..........

BTW I think you will enjoy the comedy skits in the first part and the end of the video ......... ~!~!

Tinkerer200 said:

Well I watched part of the video. Might be OK if you didn't have to put up with all the BS. When I have something to fix that is what I am interested in. I can tell you this, that head can be repaired so it will stay and be more certain that a new head and the cost is a new head gasket, not $150. As I said before, dozens and dozens of people have use my fix over the last 10 - 12 years. I have heard nothing but good reports.

Walt Conner

Click to expand...

Tinker I do agree with you all the way on repairing the head... I peen them in on the L heads, and that would be a way to do the OHV also I assume..... But I always recommend a new or used head.....

If Hutch does have that issue, which so far so good, it's fine and dandy, he would be very appreciative for your info....

In fact I am curious myself about your way of doing it........ Send me your info... You have my addy already Mon Ami Merci.....

I checked the valve guides and one is sticking out 1/2" That's eye estimate.

Boudreaux In Eunice La. said:

Tinker I do agree with you all the way on repairing the head... I peen them in on the L heads, and that would be a way to do the OHV also I assume..... But I always recommend a new or used head.....

If Hutch does have that issue, which so far so good, it's fine and dandy, he would be very appreciative for your info....

In fact I am curious myself about your way of doing it........ Send me your info... You have my addy already Mon Ami Merci.....

Click to expand...

Well I had your address until my computer crashed and I lost all addresses. If you have mine, send test so I will have it. You are only partially right about repair, simply peening will not hold.

Walt Conner
wconner5 at frontier dot com

Hutchinshills said:

I checked the valve guides and one is sticking out 1/2" That's eye estimate.

Click to expand...

Your guide has slipped. Simply driving back in place will not hold it once it has slipped. Thread lock, JB weld, peening around it will not hold it. My fix will.

Walt Conner

Walt, I'm interested in your method as well. I'll send you an email.

OK, this points up the problem of not posting the engine model number. All along I had been assuming that we were talking about a V twin Intek as this is the most common engine to which slipped valve guides occurs. Just now I notice the email from OP says "Vanguard". I have already sent a Service Manual for Intek. I do not recommend my fix for Vanguard since Vanguard offers replacement valve guides. The fix was developed for Intek because replacement valve guides are not available for Intek and B&S says you must buy a new head. People have used the fix on Vanguard but it alters the head until replacing the valve guide would be problematic. Always post the engine model number when asking advice on engine problems.

Ealt Conner

Hutchinshills said:

I checked the valve guides and one is sticking out 1/2" That's eye estimate.

Click to expand...

You need to contact me again, I sent you the wrong Service Manual thinking we were talking about an Intek and computer trouble has prevented me from retrieving your address.

Walt Conner