Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): 17hp twin briggs, oil holes, 6 digits

Question
A friend of mine gave me a murrary riding mower with two 17hp twin briggs, md#42A707, type 1653 01 engines. The engines were disassembled by him, I salvaged enough parts for one good engine but have no idea which way the rod oiling holes point. I am guessing towards the cam but none of the exploded views I have found show this detail. Both engines lost the lower rod, is this a common failure point of this engine? any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Answer
Hello Brian:

You are Correct. The Oil Holes Face the Cam. I have had Problems with this Model Engine. The Lower Rod Does Seem to have a Problem. Most of these Engines that I have Worked on with an Internal Problem has had the Lower Rod Break. I Contacted Briggs and they were Not Aware of this (supposedly). There are a Lot of these Model Engine on the Market and I May Just be Unlucky. Did you De-Glaze the Cylinders before you Replaced the Piston into the Cylinders? You can View a Breakdown/IPL of this Engine at this Site Addy, http://www.smallenginepartswarehouse.com/parts.asp and Select the Shop Online Parts Look Up. Then Select the Model Tab. Then Select the OEM and Enter the Model (5 or 6 Digits) and Type Numbers (first 4 digits Only). Then Double Click on the Model in the Results Area. Now you can Select the Section of the Engine you Wish to View. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem,  I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. Have a Happy Holiday Season and May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Be Safe and Happy. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John

PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.

Respectfully

John

Hi Again Brian:

One Thing I Forgot to Mention. I have Found that a Synthetic Oil Seems to Help the Engines Last Longer. I Use Synthetic Oil (Mobile 1) in All My Equipment Now. I had an Experience that Changed my Mind About Synthetic Oils. I Purchased a Nissan Pickup Truck and an Old Riding Mower from the Same Person. The Person Purchased Each New and Used ONLY Synthetic Oil in them. The Pickup had 198,000 Miles on it and the Mower was Used for Yard Maintenance at a Housing Project. There had Never Been Any Major Maintenance Performed on Either Unit. I Know that the Nissan Engines use a Timing Chain and have Phenolic (Plastic) Guides and Tensioners that Usually Wear Out at 80,000 Mles and these had Not been Replaced on the Pickup Truck. I Decided to Replace the Chain and Guides before they Broke. Upon Removal of the Chain Cover, I Discovered the Guides and Chain Looked New. I Removed the Cylinder Head and the Pistons had the Cross Hatch Marks from the Factory Still Showing in the Cylinder Walls and the Pistons were Still Tight in the Cylinders. I Could Not Believe No Work had been Performed on this Engine. I Researched the Cehicle Further and Found that the Owner had the Vehicle Serviced and Repaired at the Dealer. The Dealer had All the Paperwork on the Vehicle. I have Been Using the Synthetic Oil for 7 Years Now and will Never Use Regular Oil Again. Thanks for the Ratings and the Comments. Till Next Time. May All Your Mechanical Problems be SMALL ONES and May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks Again.

Best Wishes and Good Luck

Respectfully

John