Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Fuel Tank, craftsman 917, recoil starter

Question
Good evening John,
I am working on a Craftsman 917.377980. I am unable to find any instructions on how to remove the fuel tank and engine shroud.
I am trying to repair a broken recoil rope, but can't remove the aforementioned.

Any suggestions would be VERY helpful.

TIA

Answer
Hello John:

The Gas Tank Should Lift Up Out of the Blower Housing. If May Take a Little Force to Release the Press Fit or you May have the Style that you Pull the Top of the Tank Out and it Releases from Under the Lock Ears and is then Lifted Off of the Blower Housing. Go to this Site Addy, http://www3.sears.com/ and Enter the Model Numbers (143.996704; these are the Engine Model Numbers for your Engine) in the Upper Left Search Box and Click Go. Then Visually Verify the Equipment and Click Continue. From this Page you can View Diagrams or Parts Lists for you Equipment. Once the Tank is Removed you can Then Remove the Blower Housing Bolts that are Behind the Tank and Remove the Other Bolts that are Around the Sides of the Blower Housing. There are Usually 4 or 5 Bolts and Usually Require a 10mm, 7/16in, or 11mm. The Following are the General Instructions for Replacing the Starter Rope on a Recoil Starter like the One Shown at the Site Addy I Provided Earlier. 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

Hi John:

I Just Read your Post and Comments and Realized I Forgot to Send the General Instructions for Repairing the Broken Starter Rope. I Appoligized for the Oversite. Here are the Instructions: if the Rope has Broken and the Spring is Good, then Remove the Blower Housing (metal engine cover and recoil Starter). Remove the Old Rope from the Recoil Pulley. Now Turn the Pulley in the Same Direction that the Pulley would Turn if the Rope was Turning it. Once the Pulley will Turn No More, then Reverse Direction 1 or 2 Turns and Thread the New Rope Through the Hole in the Center of the Pulley and Out the Hole in the Blower Housing. Pull the Rope Through Until it is Tight Against the Pulley. Now Tie a Slip Knot in the Rope to Hold the Pulley in Place While the Handle is Attached to the Rope. Once the Handle is Attached, Release the Slip Knot and the Rope Should Retract Into the Housing. Reassemble the Blower Housing Onto the Engine. Hope this Helps. Again Thanks for the Ratings and 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