Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): briggs & stratton, twin cylinder engines, briggs stratton

Question
Hi. Afriend of mine has a ride on mower (I don´t know the make!) with a Briggs & Stratton 14.5 hp. He has neglected to give me the engine id number, but says he replaced the starter motor, battery, solenoid and wiring, but as soon as the engine gets to the compression stroke  it will not turn any further on the starter. If you remove the rocker cover and depress the Ex valve, crank the engine then let go of the ex valve it runs fine. I can see no manual decompressor, does it have one of those centrifugal/spring auto-decomps?
Thanks

Answer
Hello Jay:

Sorry for the Delay. This Question was Located in the Question Pool. This Sounds like an OHV Engine. Reset the Valve Clearance. The Compression Release is Not Operating Correctly and is Causing the Problem you Described. I Do Not Use the Setting Called for by the OEMs. I have Found that the Following Works Best. Remove the Valve Cover (on the Dead Cylinder for Twin Cylinder Engines). Set the Cylinder you are Setting the Valves on to Top Dead Center (Both Rocker Arms will have Play in them when the Engine is at TDC) When Setting the Valve Clearance. Now Loosen the Valve Adjuster Locks and Set the Intake Valve Clearance to .004in -.006in and the Exhaust to .008in - .010in. I have had Better Performance Out of the Mowers and Less Burnt Valves Using these Settings. 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 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. 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