Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Riding mower push rods, briggs and stratton, ohv engine

Question
QUESTION: Hello,
I hope you are having a great day.  I had a quick question.  I have a sears tractor (can;t locate the model number) with a 16.5 Briggs and Stratton OHV engine (mod. 310707 and Type: 0137-E1) and I had to clean out the top of the head b/c prev. owner had put too much oil in it and fried oil in there.  Valves are now clean and everything seems good.  I am trying to put back the head and line up the push rods (one is alum. and one is steel).  On one end there is the valves and rockers and on the other end (engine side) there are three holes.  I am assuming one is for oil and the other two are for the rods connecting to the cam.  Can you walk me through the process to put the assembly back together making sure the rods go exactly where they need to?

Thanks so much and have a blessed day,
Ryan ORourke

ANSWER: There is an image on this weblink:

http://engines.myfaqcenter.com/Answer.aspx?p_faqid=3441&body_0$tbKeyword=valve

Does "image E" help?

Eric

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well, I am so appreciative of the starter advice here. I read through that whole thing and it was good for me to know anyway.  My problem is at the other end of the rod.  The overhead valve area ia pretty straightforward, but down on the other end is where it connects to the cam and there are three holes, not just two.  So I am thinking that the one with the depth to it lets the oil pass through to do it's job and the other two holes are for the respective rods.  The rods just seem to sit there, niot really sink in, but I guess I could rotate the engine and get the holes to become deeper?

Am i on the right track here?  I am very handy and work on automotive/motorcycle engines, but not mowers usually.

Thanks,
Ryan

Answer
You are correct about the oil passage and the push rods "sitting" there.  Sounds like you have a good bit of experience so I'd stick to your plan about rotating the engine once the push rods are installed.  I always rotate the engine anyhow after setting the valve lash...a little tip the Briggs factory school teaches.  You can even verify correct mechanical timing by rotating and observing the valve overlap as all 4 cycle engine have overlap.  This is a good test to see if a cam has jumped a tooth, which rarely happens, or if the cam has a broken tooth, which happens more than jumping.  Did you torque the head bolts?

Eric