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

[Scrubcadet10]

More than enough.

 

[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.

 

[Richard Milhous]

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

Just barely adequate - for a deuce-and-a-half cargo truck. DAAAANG!

 

[bertsmobile1]

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?

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 .

 

[randyjoe]

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

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

 

[Jammer48]

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

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.