Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): briggs & stratton, 4 stroke engines, briggs stratton

Question
My son has a B&S ybsxs.5012vp 274826 He wants to know if the marks on the crank and cam should meet together on tdc?He doesn't have a owners manual and I don't know where I can get one. Could you help me out on where the marks should line up? Thanks, joyce

Answer
Usually the marks do not line up at TDC.  The best method to check 4 cycle timing is to align the timing marks, then rotate the engine and follow the strokes.  At one point, very near TDC, you will notice a slight valve overlap where both valves are just barely open at the same time.  This is common to all 4 stroke engines.

Let me know if this helps.
Eric