Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): kick back, leaf cleanup, head bolts

Question
QUESTION: 5.0 Briggs that has had its crank/nut welded to stop the sheared pin damage from having the flywheel walk....well it seems the weld sheared anmd now the engine is pulling my arm out of joint, timing must be so far out.... I guessI need to cut the Nut off the crank with a wheel and take it from there??? Nice Mower...self Prop. Power Pro rear bag got free this is why. any short cut??? The nut wont come off the shaft due to the weld slag above the nut.Johyn

ANSWER: Go to a few dealers and see if someone has a used crankshaft and flywheel you can buy.  The kick back comes from ignition timing being off.  It will do it if only off a little.  Hope this helps.

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

QUESTION: HOW HARD IS IT TO PULL A FLYWHEEL OFF A 5.0 BRIGGS??

ANSWER: In the flywheel by the nut are two holes tapped or not.  That is where you attach a puller that uses bolts and a large bolt in the center.  It screws up to the crankshaft end and puts pulling pressure on the flywheel.  

If the holes are mot tapped tap them.  The pullers are available at an Ace had or like.  They use two or three bolt patterns.  Ask the clerk.

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

QUESTION: I have a question here a bout a Tecumseh 5.0 hp engine.....this engine was running and dieing after it got hot....I think I corrected the problem...I torqued the head bolts to 200 inch pounds, readjusted the main carb. jet screw at the base of the fuel bowl, replaced the needle and seat....shook the float looking for a problem and found none there. Now it has been running for quite a long time idling and under load doing a leaf cleanup and it only stalled once only after the fuel dropped to 1/4 inch mark in the tank, but it seemed like it burnt up some fuel??? maybe it was running longer then I thopught and had less fuel in it then I thought, however the unit seems a little on the weak side as far as real good power goes it is a 5.0 Tec. motor mounted on a large old Sears self propelled frame(model# 917.373490) also when I put the front drive on the left front wheel spins but seems like it has trouble with traction...pulling the mower at a slower clip?? the right front does nothing is that normal? There is some wear on the tread and I didnt look at the gears inside the box and inside the front wheels as well>>> what do you think about this. I want to sell this machine to a guy for $50.00 as is?? It has a rear bag??? and looks pretty good??

Answer
First about the engine dying only a little fuel has been used.  This could be a simple as a plugged fuel cap vent.  Torque of the head bolts is area important and can result in a blowing head gasket and damage to the head and valves.  When thing you might check is valve clearance I believe it's 0.05 to 0.06 inches.

The drive issues sound as if they are derived year related if you slip the gear off the axle there should be a small woodruff key and under that spring.  The system needs to be cleaned and greased with a small amount of grease.  Too much attracts dirt and dirt will wear out your gears make sure you have good gear mesh with the wheel of your again only a few drops of oil to lubricate this gear.