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Hello!

I am currently trying to fix/rebuild a craftsman riding mower. The mower has a motor marked as a 10hp briggs and stratton engine. After looking around I found this was a tecumseh TVXL220-157245D motor. I decided to pull the motor off when the mower started to make a fairly loud knocking sound.
Given that this is a fairly old mower, I decided to tear it apart and fix it. {or try } Either way...this is more for fun than anything else.

When I tore into the mower, I found that the old connector rod was is pretty rough shape and had a lot of slop. I ordered another connector rod and started to assemble the engine. Everything seemed to go back together right, but I noticed an oddity when trying to turn the engine over {by hand} If I cranked the engine in a counter clockwise manner, everything seems to work properly {piston/lifters/etc}. If I turn it clockwise, it will make one full rotation of the piston/lifters and then locks.

I then thought....maybe the starter would turn counter clockwise. As it turns out, I found the starter would turn the motor/flywheel clockwise. Does anyone have any thoughts on what I have installed wrong? I know another tear down is coming, but I figured I would ask first

I am half wondering if this has to do with the "oil pump". According to a number of sites, this engine has a splash pump. I couldn't really see any specific way of installing this, aside from simply putting it on the Camshaft (MCR). Thoughts?

does it have governor? ....if its assembled wrong..it could do that....damn?..something aint right...well youll find out sooner or later:laughing:....tell us when you find it!

It does have a centrifical govener. I think I have that part right, but the more I think about it I ththink I have a problem with the splash pump. Something isn't right.

I'll post more when I have time to tear it apart

It's hard to come up with the difference between clockwise lock and counterclockwise turning free. A key could be worn and allowing a gear to shift. Some of those engines have a mechanical compression release that releases compression when starting, centrifugal force moves the pin away from the cam when the engine is starts this lever could be the problem. The oil pump does attach to the cam shaft but it also is inserted in a hole in the block. below is a link to the service manual maybe it will help. Let us know how it turns out.

Tecumseh Service Manual

Ok...so it is Saturday and I finally have some free time to work on this

I have torn the motor apart again and I have a few pictures this time. I am thinking that part of the problem is how I have the splash pump installed and I most likely have the timing off by a bit.

Alignment
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/UHmbY48REL3w4Xlgd9zV8iSLFDPfOfRO8rsg6rFbKQY?feat=directlink

Spash Pump
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uE9k-f_Z052jcQ2PH8pD6SSLFDPfOfRO8rsg6rFbKQY?feat=directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/jMVqL8eJrJiMq1_BGLszsSSLFDPfOfRO8rsg6rFbKQY?feat=directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/UHmbY48REL3w4Xlgd9zV8iSLFDPfOfRO8rsg6rFbKQY?feat=directlink

Thoughts?

Ok... it is time for a headslap. On a previous post originalswampfox mentioned about the splash pump being connected to the outside cover. I completely missed this and it was most likely a large part of the problem

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/QGlhhjJgpp4hDD8TdO7ffiSLFDPfOfRO8rsg6rFbKQY?feat=directlink

The only question I still have is do I have the timing right. I will dig into the service manual

{special thanks to originalswampfox for that}

I just put everything back together and it appears to be working both ways when turned by hand {via flywheel}.

I had the pump installed wrong, and the timing was off a bit {according to manual}

I am hoping to have this running on the bench in the morning. Should either work, or be a spectacular failure and a good story More to come....

great pics!...i hope you got it:thumbsup:

Thanks for the replies I hate not knowing the end of the story

Ok time for a dumb question... how can I wire this to try to get it to run off of the mower deck? I thought if did the following the motor would try to turn over.

-Ground the motor
-Ground the Solenoid {where it mounts to frame of mower}
-Ground the wire coming from Solid State Ignition
-Wire power from battery to proper post of Solenoid.

So far no luck...what am I missing? I know the starter works {turns if power supplied} The solenoid was also working before everything was taken apart
Thoughts?

http://c.searspartsdirect.com/lis_png/PLDM/10033224-00006.png

run off the mower deck?:confused2:....try to clarify

Meaning...the motor is not attached to the mower body at the moment. It took quite a bit of work to remove it from the deck, and would like to know the motor at least works before I reattach it.

At the moment, I have it bolted to a work bench outside I figure if things go really wrong, I'd rather not have it happen in my shop. I don't mind having a good story, but I'd rather not test my insurance policy

aahh!....i see,..the deck is what the mower blades are are part of...not the frame..which is what your talking about....ok....if everything is intact..as far as wiring..all you need to do is ground the engine to the frame with something big ..like a battery cable...but obviously somethings missing...there might be safety switches..like on the clutch pedal or seat or mower deck to make it work...can you take more pictures of the situation?....im sure your close!

see number 20 and 10 on your diagram?..those may be your safety switches..

I believe the KILL switch applies ground to the magneto... if you are applying ground to that lead while you are cranking it... It will not start. :smile:KennyV

The thing is...it does not even try to crank. If I bybass the solenoid it does, but otherwise nothing.

ok..your going to need a voltmeter....do you have one?

Ok... so some progress I tested the solenoid for continuity and there seems to be an issue with that. I'm not sure why...but putting that aside, I grounded the motor and then applied power to the starter/Solid State Ingnition.

I removed the ground from the ingnition {thanks kennyv } and the motor actually ran for a few moments. It then stopped with a resounding backfire I find of figured I would have to do some carb work, but I have been putting it off until now.