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motor only turns a 1/4 turn then starter wires get hot and smoke

#1

J

Jammer48

Ok I have Cub cadet 1440 with a B&S 294447-0445-01. I needed to change the head gaskets on this mower and reset the valve clearance to spec. Now when I turn the key the motor only turns a quarter turn and stops. If I turn the key again it will still only turn a 1/4 turn and stops. I needed a new battery because the old one under a test load was showing very weak so I got a new battery. The starter seemed weak with the new battery so I tested it and it would only start on occasion. So I replaced the starter. I also have a new solenoid and its still doing it. I thought maybe I set the valve clearance to tight so I loosened them and still the same thing. What am I missing that could cause this


#2

Scrubcadet10

Scrubcadet10

.004"-.006" both valves on each head, correct?

(thanks for posting the model info first, not many do that and it makes it easier to help)


#3

J

Jammer48

I am going to reset it now to .004. I removed the plugs and the damn thing turned over like a champ. So I agree it must be the valve clearances. I'll get back to you in a bit.


#4

J

Jammer48

I can't turn the motor by hand. I used to but now I can't. I am done for the night. Every time I set the clearance with an allen wrench and then tighten it down and I recheck it, it's loose. WTH? I must be doing something wrong.


#5

B

bertsmobile1

Yes you are setting them backwards.
IT catches a lot of of people , particularly old farts like me who grew up with manual tappet setting so are used to adjusting the lash at the valve stem end .
Mower engines set the gap from the pivot point .
The NUT is what sets the gap and the allen screw is the locking device .
If you ake the whole thing apart you will see the bottom of the nut is balled to fit in the cup of the rocker


#6

J

Jammer48

ok Thanks I will try that tomorrow. I hope I am getting it at TDC on the compression stroke correctly.


#7

Scrubcadet10

Scrubcadet10

Jammer48 said:
ok Thanks I will try that tomorrow. I hope I am getting it at TDC on the compression stroke correctly.
Click to expand...
i set valves with one open and 1 closed... adjust the closed valve.
exhaust valve open,adjust the intake. vice versa.


#8

H

hlw49

Setting the valves too tight will not cause the problem too loose is what would cause it. sounds like this may be what U did


#9

J

Jammer48

bertsmobile1 said:
Yes you are setting them backwards.
IT catches a lot of of people , particularly old farts like me who grew up with manual tappet setting so are used to adjusting the lash at the valve stem end .
Mower engines set the gap from the pivot point .
The NUT is what sets the gap and the allen screw is the locking device .
If you ake the whole thing apart you will see the bottom of the nut is balled to fit in the cup of the rocker
Click to expand...
Wow ok I will try that. Man i screwed this up. So once i have the gap set your saying I hold the nut and tighten the allen screw to secure that setting?


#10

J

Jammer48

So I got a battery from walmart with 650 cranking amps. Is that enough cranking amps?


#11

Scrubcadet10

Scrubcadet10

More than enough.


#12

J

Jammer48

UPDATE! So I took the drive shaft off and no difference, then I took the PTO of and WHAMMMMO she fired right up. I checked the bearing on the PTO and its jammed tight as a drum... won't budge. Thanks to everyone who helped me with this thing.


#13

R

Richard Milhous

Jammer48 said:
So I got a battery from walmart with 650 cranking amps. Is that enough cranking amps?
Click to expand...
Just barely adequate - for a deuce-and-a-half cargo truck. DAAAANG!


#14

B

bertsmobile1

Jammer48 said:
Wow ok I will try that. Man i screwed this up. So once i have the gap set your saying I hold the nut and tighten the allen screw to secure that setting?
Click to expand...
YES
Crack the grub screw then back it off
Adjust the gap with the nut then hold the nut while you tighten the grub screw down tight to lock the nut.
Takes a bit of time to get the feel and even now I have to do some 2 or 3 times before I get it right
Check that you have not bent a pushrod .


#15

R

randyjoe

Jammer48 said:
Ok I have Cub cadet 1440 with a B&S 294447-0445-01. I needed to change the head gaskets on this mower and reset the valve clearance to spec. Now when I turn the key the motor only turns a quarter turn and stops. If I turn the key again it will still only turn a 1/4 turn and stops. I needed a new battery because the old one under a test load was showing very weak so I got a new battery. The starter seemed weak with the new battery so I tested it and it would only start on occasion. So I replaced the starter. I also have a new solenoid and its still doing it. I thought maybe I set the valve clearance to tight so I loosened them and still the same thing. What am I missing that could cause this
Click to expand...
Have you checked the pressure release nub on the cam I have the same problem on a mower I’m working on for a customer


#16

J

Jammer48

randyjoe said:
Have you checked the pressure release nub on the cam I have the same problem on a mower I’m working on for a customer
Click to expand...
UPDATE! So I took the drive shaft off and no difference, then I took the PTO of and WHAMMMMO she fired right up. I checked the bearing on the PTO and its jammed tight as a drum... won't budge. Thanks to everyone who helped me with this thing.


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