Does my mower engine have valves or not

[Fish]

Two things are common in the l-head twin that cause hard cranking. First, the starter's top bushing gets worn out and gets a lot of slop in it, I replace the bushing
using an oilite sleeve from the hardware store and a little bit of redneck craftsmanship. While apart, buff the contacts of the starter.

The other issue that is common, is a buildup of carbon in the combustion chamber, which just requires the removal of the heads and a stiff wire brush, the gaskets
will likely come apart, so those would need replaced as well.

It is highly doubtful that a valve adjust would cure your problem in this instance, it mainly applies to the OHV models.

 

[ILENGINE]

Starter problems are fairly common on the Briggs opposed twin engine. there is just so much stress on the starter, mainly because of such a small starter turning over so much mass. I have had several over the years that would be hard to start or would turn over slowly, like you describe. cleaning the brush area of the starter may help, but may also require the starter to be replaced.

Carbon buildup in the head area is also a problem with that engine. but valve clearances are usually not a problem with that engine, other than the valve seats coming out of the block. The opposed engine has some cooling issues leading to overheat of the block loosening the valve seats.

 

[Lennie11b]

Starter problems are fairly common on the Briggs opposed twin engine. there is just so much stress on the starter, mainly because of such a small starter turning over so much mass. I have had several over the years that would be hard to start or would turn over slowly, like you describe. cleaning the brush area of the starter may help, but may also require the starter to be replaced.

Carbon buildup in the head area is also a problem with that engine. but valve clearances are usually not a problem with that engine, other than the valve seats coming out of the block. The opposed engine has some cooling issues leading to overheat of the block loosening the valve seats.

Ok yeah yesterday I had it apart and there was a crap ton of carbon buildup on the pistons I was turning the flywheel by hand and the valves seemed to look like they where doing what they was supposed to do. So when it stops raining ill clean them pistons up what solevents is safe to use and since im new to small engines who is a good source to buy parts/gaskets from I work in a rock quarry and we shut down thru the holidays so this is my keep busy project

 

[Fish]

Just scrape and use a heavy wire brush. Any mower shop will have the gaskets, and you probably need a new air filter as well.

 

[Woody71]

I have an older Tecumseh "flatty" (L head). As you've discovered, nothing to adjust. Let me relate my experience regarding carbon on the valves and piston.

I replaced the head on my engine last spring. Broke a bolt while torquing down the new head (I won't event go into that, stupid move).

I let it sit for a couple weeks as I was out of town. When I pulled the mower out of the garage to extract the broken head bolt, all the carbon was gone! I have no idea what happened but the valves, cylinder and top of the piston were completely carbon free. I do run SeaFoam as a fuel stabilizer in all my OPE gas.

Got the broken bolt out, torqued the head correctly and it ran great all last season. I didn't lap the valves as they seemed fine.

 

[reynoldston]

I have an older Tecumseh "flatty" (L head). As you've discovered, nothing to adjust. Let me relate my experience regarding carbon on the valves and piston.

I replaced the head on my engine last spring. Broke a bolt while torquing down the new head (I won't event go into that, stupid move).

I let it sit for a couple weeks as I was out of town. When I pulled the mower out of the garage to extract the broken head bolt, all the carbon was gone! I have no idea what happened but the valves, cylinder and top of the piston were completely carbon free. I do run SeaFoam as a fuel stabilizer in all my OPE gas.

Got the broken bolt out, torqued the head correctly and it ran great all last season. I didn't lap the valves as they seemed fine.

Little men came into your garage when you were gone and cleaned it for you.