For $20 I bought a new blade adapter & blade. Before installing them I
propped the mower up on its side and used the Redneck Dial Indicator (tm) to
check for run out of the crankshaft under the mower's deck. (I clamped a
scrap piece of wood across the bottom of the mower and a second cut off
aimed at the crankshaft's end.) With the spark plug removed & turning the
engine by hand I could see the shaft wobble by ~ 1/8".
I next tried a length of pipe as a lever to try to move it back into
place.My pipe was only about 18" long and didn't give much leverage.
Figuring I had little to lose, I marked the wobble with some chalk and
positioned the shaft so I could whack it with a BFH. A few moderate whacks
didn't do anything. A more forceful whack did the deed! No more wobble and I
noticed the engine seemed to turn easier. (I do think the resistance I do
feel is the camshaft operating the valves.)
I then installed the new blade adapter & blade and started it up. It ran
fine, no smoke, no vibrations or bad noises. When I shut it off it coasted
to a stop like usual - vs the sudden stop when I ran it a few days ago
without a blade attached.
Eric Russell
Mebane, NC
----- Original Message -----
From: "Eric J Russell" <ejrussell@mebtel.net>
To: "Eric J Russell" <ejrussell@mebtel.net>; "shop-talk"
<shop-talk@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, May 20, 2013 9:42 PM
Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Rock 1, Mower 0 ?
>> Hit a large rock the lawn mower.
>
> Thanks for the many replies.
>
> To answer the questions/suggestions raised - the spark plug was out when I
> turned the engine by hand. The resistance I feel might be the valve
> springs. It seems the consensus is to try either a new blade or at least a
> roughly straightened/balanced old blade and see how it runs. The key in
> the blade adapter is (was) integral to the part. It is an aluminum part
> with the 'key' punched in from the side. I might try just bolting it
> together (without a functioning key) to see if it runs better with the
> blade.
>
> I saw this on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjSZu2hlmsk I do
> have an assortment of hammers...
>
> Eric Russell
> Mebane, NC
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