Owner of model 987.388122 , B&S 650 series 21" push mower. New Member

discord

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  • / Owner of model 987.388122 , B&S 650 series 21" push mower. New Member
Someone gave me a Craftsman mower, told me to adjust the (governer) screw on the carb inlet pictured below, and I might get it to run. Brought it home and looked like it was bone dry for oil. Filled it with oil and gas, would run for a half second and stop. Thought I was going to have to clean or replace the carb.

Today I dumped the oil and gas, refilled it. Used some extra M1 5W-30 left over from my oil change. Put gas in it, and what do you know started fine, cut grass, no issues. Starts every time. Haven't had a mower in years but feels like it's brand new starting like that. :D

Just thought I'd say hello on here.

Anyhow the blade looks pretty warn down, like it hit some rocks. Don't have a grinding wheel, but thought maybe I should buy a new blade. From the manual the part is 406706. How do you folks sharpen your blades? Never really got the file business down. Don't own a vice.

m_mower.jpg

m_carb.jpg
 

Boobala

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  • / Owner of model 987.388122 , B&S 650 series 21" push mower. New Member
Welllll ...a freebie mower... a little TLC ... n you have a working mower... at that ...I wouldn't hesitate to buy a BRAND NEW BLADE !!! :rolleyes:
Shame all over you ... you did say you cut the lawn ...be thankful it was'nt a "boat-anchor" ...Enjoy it !!!
 

discord

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  • / Owner of model 987.388122 , B&S 650 series 21" push mower. New Member
I recall a mower I purchased long ago. The guy sold it to me for the bargain price of $25. Told me it would run and cut my grass. I'd start it and it would run for a minute and then take me 10 minutes to get it started again. I managed to cut 3/4 of the lawn with it after a few hours. What a nightmare!
 

discord

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  • / Owner of model 987.388122 , B&S 650 series 21" push mower. New Member
By the way is that screw in the image above under the air filter a carb adjustment, and is it referred to as the governor?
 

Catherine

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  • / Owner of model 987.388122 , B&S 650 series 21" push mower. New Member
:welcome:

Welcome to the forum!

I'm going to move this thread over to our Craftsman section for you :smile:
 

primerbulb120

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  • / Owner of model 987.388122 , B&S 650 series 21" push mower. New Member
There are no carb adjustments on that mower. If it runs rough, the carb probably needs cleaning.

One other thing: You need to replace your air filter box ASAP. It has a corner broken off, which will prevent the air filter from sealing correctly, which will allow dust and debris to get past the filter, which will eventually ruin your engine.

I sharpen my blades with an angle grinder + grinding wheel. I would never think of trying to sharpen them with a file. :wink:
 

discord

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  • / Owner of model 987.388122 , B&S 650 series 21" push mower. New Member
Thanks for pointing out the issue regarding the air box. I will do something to close it off until I can get the replacement.

There are no carb adjustments on that mower. If it runs rough, the carb probably needs cleaning.

One other thing: You need to replace your air filter box ASAP. It has a corner broken off, which will prevent the air filter from sealing correctly, which will allow dust and debris to get past the filter, which will eventually ruin your engine.

I sharpen my blades with an angle grinder + grinding wheel. I would never think of trying to sharpen them with a file. :wink:
 

discord

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  • / Owner of model 987.388122 , B&S 650 series 21" push mower. New Member
I brought this mower out to my folks place, and it died unexpectedly. I haven't been able to restart it, and I think it doesn't sound the same when I pull the starting line. Any ideas on what would cause this?
 

discord

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  • / Owner of model 987.388122 , B&S 650 series 21" push mower. New Member
carburator_removed.jpgcarburator_removed.jpg

In the shot above you can see I tied up the gas line when removing the carburetor. But does anybody know what the other line is for? I thought maybe it was to drain the carb, but it's not attached. Otherwise is it an overflow relief for oil? Should it be attached to something
 

ILENGINE

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  • / Owner of model 987.388122 , B&S 650 series 21" push mower. New Member
If you are talking about the elbow tube toward the bottom, it is the breather tube, and connects to a nipple on the back of the air filter rear box.
 
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