Hi guys, new here. I'm not a mechanic by any means, but I received a 1980 model tiller from my in-laws and decided to try my hand at bringing it back to life. I was told that it ran, but smoked real bad when it was parked and replaced. It's been sitting for about 5 years. I watched a bunch of youtube vids to prepare for surgery but that's no substitute for experience so I've come for help.
What I've done: I tore it down, cleaned and repainted the case and sheet-metal. Cleaned all of the carbon from the piston, valves, and head which were otherwise in remarkably good condition. I put in a set of new rings, checked the gaps first and they looked fine. The cylinder wall was as smooth as a baby's butt which was a relief after seeing how much carbon was in the combustion chamber. I re-lapped the valves and put it all back together. Wouldn't start, so I thought the problem might have been the points, after a few hours of adjustments I could't produce a spark despite the very good appearance of the contacts so I replaced the whole deal with a Stenz Electronic Magneto and replaced the plug for good measure. Now is sparks good but it wouldn't start so I asked around and was told to check the valve clearance, I had neglected to do so because I was using the same parts and just assumed the clearance wouldn't have changed, but I was wrong. I had to grind the intake valve to produce a .006 clearance. The Exhaust was sitting at about .010. Put it back together again. It still wouldn't start. a few drops of gas in the spark plug hole caused it to backfire but not crank. I replaced the carb and tank (with fresh gas) and it still wouldn't run, so I figured it was a carb issue. I replaced the diaphragm, inspected, and reset the jet and screw (set to 1.5 turns out). Still nothing good. I've hit a wall. I borrowed a compression gauge and it's consistently pushing 60 lbs on first pull and hitting 70-75 by the third pull. The flywheel check also indicated sufficient compression. The timing marks are lined up for the cam and crank. The flywheel key has a small gouge in it (an accident during the repeated removal testing the points) but it's not sheered off.
Other Information that might be relevant. Fuel poured in the breather port of the carb sputters back out when the rope is pulled. not sure if back pressure from the intake is normal. Occasionally a puff of smoke will come out of the carb. Not sure if this is coming from the intake or if it's a puff of blow-by returning from the pcv line.
Can anyone think of something I'm missing? The engine does not look worn out, so I'd really like to get it running again. Not to mention it was manufactured the same month and year that I was born so I kinda feel a kinship with it, lol. giving up on it is like giving up on myself at this point and I'm too stubborn for that.
Thanks for any advice.
What I've done: I tore it down, cleaned and repainted the case and sheet-metal. Cleaned all of the carbon from the piston, valves, and head which were otherwise in remarkably good condition. I put in a set of new rings, checked the gaps first and they looked fine. The cylinder wall was as smooth as a baby's butt which was a relief after seeing how much carbon was in the combustion chamber. I re-lapped the valves and put it all back together. Wouldn't start, so I thought the problem might have been the points, after a few hours of adjustments I could't produce a spark despite the very good appearance of the contacts so I replaced the whole deal with a Stenz Electronic Magneto and replaced the plug for good measure. Now is sparks good but it wouldn't start so I asked around and was told to check the valve clearance, I had neglected to do so because I was using the same parts and just assumed the clearance wouldn't have changed, but I was wrong. I had to grind the intake valve to produce a .006 clearance. The Exhaust was sitting at about .010. Put it back together again. It still wouldn't start. a few drops of gas in the spark plug hole caused it to backfire but not crank. I replaced the carb and tank (with fresh gas) and it still wouldn't run, so I figured it was a carb issue. I replaced the diaphragm, inspected, and reset the jet and screw (set to 1.5 turns out). Still nothing good. I've hit a wall. I borrowed a compression gauge and it's consistently pushing 60 lbs on first pull and hitting 70-75 by the third pull. The flywheel check also indicated sufficient compression. The timing marks are lined up for the cam and crank. The flywheel key has a small gouge in it (an accident during the repeated removal testing the points) but it's not sheered off.
Other Information that might be relevant. Fuel poured in the breather port of the carb sputters back out when the rope is pulled. not sure if back pressure from the intake is normal. Occasionally a puff of smoke will come out of the carb. Not sure if this is coming from the intake or if it's a puff of blow-by returning from the pcv line.
Can anyone think of something I'm missing? The engine does not look worn out, so I'd really like to get it running again. Not to mention it was manufactured the same month and year that I was born so I kinda feel a kinship with it, lol. giving up on it is like giving up on myself at this point and I'm too stubborn for that.
Thanks for any advice.
