Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Installing stud into Craftsman air cleaner body, long nose pliers, rear discharge

Question
I have a Craftsman 6.75 Horsepower 21" rear discharge power propelled lawn mower Model# 917.377610 that I purchased in 1998.  The air cleaner cover part#36191, stud part# 651041, air cleaner and bolt were missing. Since that Crafstaman model was discontinued I located M&D Mower  parts store in Ohio. I emailed the parts company and asked if they would fit the Craftsman.  Dave  said “yes Sears often uses Tecumseh engines and the part numbers are identical” and found the replacement parts with the exact part# and description from Tecumseh. The parts certainly appear to fit exact.  It seems so simple to just put the stud into the body, but the space is so small and you need to place the 1.25 inch horizontal portion of the“L” shaped stud exactly over the slightly open 1/2 pipe like open slot and push down. I tried to put the stud in the slot but am not able to push it downward into the slot since the space is very cramped. And it appears that you need to push it in in order to force open the plastic open slot to accept the stud.

Do you have to take the air cleaner body off to install the stud? I am a novice at this. If so, I know I won't be able to do that since it appears the air cleaner body is connected to a lot of other parts.  Is there an easy way to pop the stud in? I tried with a long nose pliers but the stud kept falling out of the pliers. It looks like it should be easy to do, but since there isn't much room to put your fingers in, I can't seem to apply much leverage from the top of where the stud would "pop" in with downward pressure to fit into that slot.  I hope I am making sense and appreciate any assistance you can offer on this.  I could attempt to take a digital photo of that small opening where the air cleaner slot is along with the stud itself if that would assist you, but I would need your email in order to send that to you.  .  To the best of my knowledge I don't ever recall seeing the air cleaner cover or air cleaner attached and I purchased the lawn mower new in 1998. I haven't used it in 4 years since we had neighbors mowing the lawn. I appreciate any help you can offer on this. Thank you.

Fred Lowe


Answer
 Hello Fred:

 The Stud is installed with a Special Tool. However I use a C-clamp to press the Stud into the Seat. Put a Nut in the Stud to Protect the Threads and Tighten the C-clamp until you see the Stud Pop into the Seat.  Hope this Helps.

 Good Luck

 Respectfully

 John