We have a Sears Craftsman lawn tractor with a 17 1/2 HP OHV Briggs and Stratton motor. I would like to check the valve clearance this spring and need to know what the clearance should be. Can anyone help please?
Since you don't post engine numbers, I'm taking a guess that you have a twin cylinder Vanguard engine. Here is a manual to help you, if I have guess right. If I'm wrong that's why we ask for numbers.
Thanks Rivets, but after looking at that manual, I don't believe that is my motor. Here is the motor number that I should have supplied in the first place - YBSXS.5012VP. There is also the number 274826, but I assume that is probably the serial number. Do you have a similar manual for this motor?
I remember when that engine came out, and everytime somebody had a problem with it. It was always a valve out of adjustment problem. Engine would kick back, not start, had to turn flywheel by hand to get engine started, but sometimes still couldn't get started. Common complain was I have a starter problem.
I was thinking at first that I had a starter problem, but after I posted the problem to this forum, some members helped me to see that it probably was a valve adjustment problem. We've had the mower for a number of years and have never adjusted the valves, so it is probably overdue.