Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Ariens Tecumseh engine seized, tecumseh engine, starter rope

Question
Hi, I have a vintage Arien's snow thrower with a 6 HP Tecumseh engine, model number H60 75003F. A couple years ago, I started and ran it with low oil until it ground to a halt. From then on, it would not start because the starter rope would not budge. I squirted various things in the cylinder such as penetrating oil and have let it sit for the past couple years. Today, I poured a little Sea Foam in the cylinder, took the head off the engine and to my surprise, was able to get the engine to turn by turning the fly-wheel by hand. Valves seem to be moving fine as does the cylinder, although the valves seem pretty scorched with one covered with dark carbon material and the other covered with a light brown, flakier covering.

I am tempted to clean it up, scrape the carbon out best I can, move a little more Sea Foam through the cylinder, reassemble it and fire it up. I am checking with you, however, to see if there is something I should do while I have it apart or if there is still something that could jam the engine in the way of the valves, etc. Note that I did check the recoil unit and it seems to work just fine.

Could I have lucked out?

Thanks,

Jim

Answer
Jim

Obviously there has to be some kind of engine damage.When the engine turned, with the heads off is because there was no compression.Put some marvel mystery oil in the engine to help keep it clean and don't over run the engine with heavy loads. Just keep running the engine with keeping oil in it. To rebuild the engine would probably cost quite a bit.