Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Tecumseh question, needle bearings, tecumseh tvs115

Question
A couple years ago the engine on my Lawnboy mower blew a rod. I had another mower, with a Tecumseh LEV 80 333001A (B)engine, but a badly rusted deck. Took the engine off that mower and mounted it on the Lawnboy deck which is like new. It started ok, but the engine was racing so fast, I shut it down. What would make the engine run so fast? Is it possible the Lawnboy brake cable is to long/short, causing the engine to run fast? Is there a way to slow this down without replacing the cable? Can the carburetor be adjusted?

I also have a question about the original Lawnboy engine. That is a Tecumseh TVS115-57904C, 4.5 HP. I've been lead to believe the connecting rod has a number of needle bearings. Is this true?

Just wondering because I'm about to replace the rod on my B&S snowblower engine, and I didn't see any needle bearings when I opened the engine.

With the Lawnboy Tecumseh engine, is it any more difficult replacing the rod than in the B&S engine?

Thanks.  

Answer
The Lawnboy engine is just a Tecumseh painted green, no needle bearings.  When replacing the thrown rod, the crankshaft surface must be buffed until all of the pasted on aluminum is gone.

   The brake cable should have no effect on the engine speed, the
throttle cable really shouldn't either, but it sounds likie something
must be hooked up wrong somewhere, so I would disconnect the throttle
cable and try to start, it should be on low throttle, if not, then the linkage or governor must be messed up.
   Also make sure that the throttle on the carb is not just gummed up and is moving freely.  I will go out to the shop and see if I have a Tecumseh laying around so we can look at a pic so we know that we are both talking about the same thing.  Let me know what you find.

Fish