I have 21hp Intek that's on a Craftsman ys4500. Model number is 331877. I got the mower for free due to a broken connecting rod. I went ahead and did a carb kit, rings, light hone, lapped valves, and all new gaskets too. It fires right up and seems to idle okay but it's experiencing a rich condition which causes it to run rough and black smoke. If I slowly increase the throttle it seems fine but throttle too fast and it boggs and you get the black smoke. I took the carb apart again but seems fine. I might put all of the old carb parts back in just to try. It definitely seems like a fuel issue but could it be anything else?
Also, can anyone tell me for sure if the aluminum push rod goes on the exhaust? The previous owner had the engine torn down. He put it back together and had the aluminum on the exhaust and marked with ex on it. I know most have them on the intake but a few have them on the exhaust. The reason I ask is I keep getting the hard start and have to adjust the valves. Seems to work for awhile.
Thanks!