Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): B&S 31C707-0230-E1 Wont Start/Bangs, rod bolt, cam setting

Question
I've read through the answers and have seen some comments on disconnecting the coil to check for spark.  I will do this.  But I took this engine apart and reassembled it with no repair manual.  Everything went back together fine and I didn't have any extra parts!  But now it will crank a few times and then bang real loud out of the exhaust.  Perhaps my coil isn't in the right place.  Perhaps the throttle adjustments are ever so slightly off.  I'm certain that I aligned the crankshaft to the camshaft properly.  The flywheel fit fine on the key - is there any other adjustment?  

Motor was working fine until it threw a connecting rod bolt and destroyed my connecting rod, so I'm sure that it's just a minor adjustment...

Thanks,
Jim

Answer
Jim,

  Your timing for this series engine is off quite a bit it seems it is cranking in the compression phase and getting a second jolt of fuel then firing you really need to get the manual for this engine from www.briggsandstratton.com in this manual it will show you the correct cam setting and timing positioning tear down and reassembling always is fun but have a manual with you to make sure your doing this correctly to lessen damages to your engine