I’m pretty sure a valve job will fix this issue, when you lap the valves and grind material off their faces, they will sit farther down in the valve seats and as a result they will reduce the clearance between the lifter. Also the exact clearance specification on these Tecumsehs are 10 on the intake and 10 on the exhaust.

Man, a lot of you must have more time, money and patience than I do! The deck has been patched, the wheels are worn, the valves are toast, the cam lobes may be rounded, and I’m sure there’s more. This old girl is ready for the parts bin. Run it till it dies and say good night. Another excellent video. Cheers

Reseating the valves until the clearance is in spec would work. I used to race karts with Briggs flathead engines, and I would do this after every race. But I was a teenager, had plenty of time, and this kept me out of trouble. The slight improvement in power was worth the investment in time for racing. Personally, I'd adjust the lash as described above, but I have the tools to do it. If I didn't have the tools, given that it's a mower engine, I'd leave it as is.

I remember lawn boy used to be everywhere, but no they’re pretty rare at least in my area also Tecumseh is my favorite kind of engine

After 21 years I gave up my ‘03 Lawnboy SilverPro Duraforce. Got an EGO and have zero regrets. 👍🏻✌🏻

You got that right about money 🤑 doesn't grow on trees 🎄🎄

it’d be great to save this engine and the mower. I don’t have any experience working on Tecumseh engine. Getting a used Honda GCV online can be done for about $50 and is the easiest way to get this mower working again for years to come. On the other hand you can get another used mower needing carburetor work for the same money and use the old one for parts. It’s a tuff one! As to saving money my advice is to make a deposit in a bank.

That is a rare one indeed dont see that many tecumseh engine like that unless a ohv engine.

With the frame as it is so I think it’s time to retire it, he can use it as much as can then replace it.😊

These old Tecumseh engines are out there for sale. Any engine from the LEV80 to LEV120 from a push mower will work.

I thought you'd play taps in the background at the end would have been cool way to go out 🙂 🎺

Keep using it. It will likely give many more productive seasons of use, I would like to have seen it perform in wet, clumpy grass for a better assessment.

Another excellent video, I learn so much watching your content. Thanks!!

It's frustrating when something is "half gone".... if the motor had a bent crankshaft or something, it's an easier call. The deck isn't exactly pristine either. I agree that it's a tough call.

I've always wondered what is that wire going into the back from the

Interesting issue. Not a common problem I've run into before. Great video. Thanks for posting!

Can and tappets. Probably worse on the tappets I'm used to seeing valves grow. Perhaps a lapping witn a feeler gauge might help bring those worn tolerances in closer. If you keep the engine, I'd have some fun with it.

I guess I just changed motor and be done with it. Thank you for the video and happy new year's

Hello home garage I am still watching your vids after all this time since you had 2,000 subs love to watch ur videos and keep up the good videos

I was thinking the same thing. Swap engine or nothing. The work involved for the engine work. Would be fine if it was yours, and you really like Lawnboy. You could always swap for a Honda engine. I personally hope to see that mower again.

I would just use it as is since it still runs fine. But years later if it broke down due to that issue, i would just find a replacement engine to install on (preferably another Tecumseh) My lawn boy mower that had that engine runaway issue when I first got it still runs perfectly fine albeit the transmisson still doesn't work. Lol. I have since installed a fuel shutoff valve on it to close and drain the gas out of the carb when it put it in storage for the winter. Especially cause I heard that carburators on those specific engines go bad fast if you leave old gas in there for too long.

I would keep using it until I saved enough for a replacement mower.

If it was mine, I would attempt to fix it. This ol' Tecumseh lasted this long. They are very durable motors and if fixed will continue to keep on mowing.

Love the Komodo dragon skin graft😂

I’d probably try lapping the hell out of the valves until they met the clearance specs. If you have access to a valve grinder that would be quicker but if you use lapping compound and a cordless drill I bet you could get it pretty close (close enough for the compression release to work anyway). Amazing that the handlebar release mechanism on that Insight mower hasn’t crapped out and fallen apart, those mowers and Toro Super Baggers were notorious for handle failures. I’ve fixed a bunch over the years, then when the parts became unavailable I rigged them for people lol!

Even if the valves are lapped to sink them deeper, it's obvious that the cam lobes are rounded or the lifters are worn. A donor engine would be ideal.

I reckon lapping the valves might work or simply replacing the valves.

Perhaps lapping the valves might bring the lash in a .

carbon between valve and seat , or between stem and guide ? warped valves ? might retro fit some lash caps , then grind stems down .

It IS interesting when we get to thinking alike. When I saw the carb side I knew what the main problem was and at the last knew that we both had hit the same wavelength. I'd run it as long as it'd run, which would knowing how I felt about the engine maker would be years for pure spite and then swap it out for a flathead but the patch on the deck decrees that it'll be like our old 85 Craftsman rider and have more patches than deck. That's when I swapped the old fossil loader man at the crusher with a birthday card for his Sweetie for a good deck. And that old flathead still ran when it left here and I WAS sorry to see it go BUT it was time. Our Buick made it 26 years before it died and my 89 S-10 is still going but the rust is holding hands. So when it's time, it's time and with a motor that's lasted this long I'd rather just set the valves than try to make a silk purse out of a sows ear with a partially new silky sow as in cam and valves and no telling what else after you opened it up. Just ain't worth it to me. A flathead? Yes. Blessings to thee

If you do end up fixing it you may as well get the entire rebuild kit for it cause it was low on oil due to the flywheel side crank seal. Also a long video would be a nice change to watch on your channel.

For an engine issue just get a harvor frieght engine or better off getting a donor mower for whatever price with a horrible deck just to get a engine.

You would be lucky to find a Tecumseh engine with no nocking in it at all, those oil pans are usually very adequate and will last forever as long as there is oil

How do i store a grass trimmer trough the winter?

Run it tell you find a good doner

Motor swap for a Briggs and Stratton

That's pretty bizarre. Those valves usually have no clearance and have to be ground not that way. I'd question if someone did a valve job and took off too much. However as it ran I would use it as is and not do anything.

what do you use to clean the mower before spraying it with a hose? seems to work very well

If this was my mower it would just be sitting in the garage without any fluids just to be on display.

Go with brigs, I never liked techumish. Plus the ease and parts availability for brigs is so easy, and plentiful. Happy Holidays everyone

Can I ask what the cleaning solution is that you use I know that you put it on there before and told us but I have dementia and I'm sorry I just don't remember thank you

i just put a new carb on a ryobi bp42 blower and it still wont work it has fuel spark and compression i dont get it

If what I am seeing on the deck is what I think I am seeing, I wouldn’t spend any more time or money on this mower and I would recommend to retire it immediately! Is that large black area on the deck a large fiberglass patch covering over a large rust hole? If so, I am calling that mower done and recommending that your coworker either purchase a new mower, have a look at your selection of used and repaired mowers, or purchase a newer but good condition used mower from someone they trust. Rusted through decks are a “point of no return” for me. I don’t feel that the risk to personal safety is worth continuing to use a mower with a severely compromised deck. Other’s may disagree and say it fine; which is true: everything is always fine until something happens to make thing not fine anymore! Sooner or later, as long as the engine is still running and the blade is still spinning, something is going to happen! When it does, I sincerely hope only this dying mower is the casualty. If it were my mower, I would pull and fix the engine in my spare time for fun, but that “holey” deck is going to “that big scrapyard over yonder”!

you can buy valve stem shims in various sizes i would measure the distance you need to fill then order the sizes you need have done this a few times on quad bikes with good results

Hey bro what's up? If I had to make a decision I think that I would buy a used mower and end my headache for some time.

How married is this person to this particular mower? Unless it has sentimental value as "dad's hammer", tell them to just continue to use it as-is...while keeping an eye out for a newer--and *non-Tecumseh*--roadside giveaway (or cheap marketplace listing) to begin the next chapter...nothing lasts forever.

those tecumseh engines are getting harder to find. If you can find a honda that would be alot better

Lap the valves

junk it for parts.

Hi mate. Your cleaning fluid works really well. What is the active ingredients. Store bought or home made. Cheers from a land down under 🦘🇦🇺