Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): 20 inch blade on a 22 inch mower, briggs and stratten, inch blade

Question
I bent my 22 inch blade on my brand new briggs and stratten push mower. I put an old 20 inch blade on to save the price of a new 22 inch blade. It misses a little but cuts fine. the 20 inch blade is for a multching mower and it does'nt throw out much grass now. Will the shorter blade hurt the engine? out of balance, whatever

Answer
I do not think that it will hurt anything but I would get the proper blade when you can.  If you bent the old blase you may have bent the crankshaft and that is where the miss comes from.  Check it out.  Tip the mower on its side and point the blade straight up and down. Mark the housing where the blade is.  Turn the blade 180 degrees and see where that tip is revealment to the mark.   This will tell you if it is bent.  Hope this helps