Craftsman Lt1000 model 917.272673 won't start

[Rivets]

May I following you right? When you rotate the engine by hand:
1. You have set the clearance between the valve stem and the rocker arm at .005.
2. You say that the push rods move up and down.
3. You say that the rocker arms don't move to push the valves open.

If all this is correct, I'm confused and don't know what to say. If the push rods move when you rotate the engine by hand the rocker arms should also move. If the push rods do't move, you will have to open the engine and see if you have a spun cam.

 

[Jim8208]

Sorry I should be a little clearer I guess. I can move the push rods and rocker arms by hand only. When I move the engine by hand neither the push rods or the rocker arms move.

Not sure how to go about fixing a spun cam but I'm more than willing to give it a shot. It's either fix it quick or buy a new mower. My grass ain't getting any shorter.

 

[Rivets]

You are going to have to pull the engine and open it up to look at the camshaft.