I wished I had more customers like this. I finally get him on the phone and tell what I think it is, but I'd have to go on the clock to know for sure. Quote him 1/2 to diagnose, and he says, "Well, get it to it." (laughingly)
So as instructed by some of the brightest minds here at LawnWorld, I remove the head, get the valve freed up and working like it's supposed to. No side to side movement, can't turn them with my thumb. Cleaned everything up. The head gasket looked a little burnt on the exhaust side, so I flipped it to the intake side. Put the head back on and did the compression check and was getting 95lbs.
Hooked my gas tank to it, and fired it up. And she ran like a little kitten.
Now the good part.
I sent the customer a short video of the engine running. He calls and says "I have heard that engine run for 10 years. The first time I heard it run is when I was a young boy and my dad had just brought it home, brand new."
I suppose it's like a family heirloom. He said he had a lot of memories with that tiller.
At the end of the conversation is was do what ever it needs, I'll send you some money tomorrow. He's not been one to haggle about prices, parts money, diagnostic money. Or anything. I've been fair with the guy, and he's been fair right back.
Wished they all were like that.
BTW, I'm going to replace the headgasket, muffler, valve cover seal, battery and solenoid.