[AT] OT- Briggs and Stratton valve clearance, IT RUNS

[k7jdj at aol.com]

Thank you again for all the comments and advise.  

IT RUNS!!  

I didn't think it would run.  After a closer look at the intake valve issue I believe that when the engine was in basic runaway mode some damage occurred either with the cam follower or the camshaft.  What I observed when turning the engine over and watching the intake valve was that the valve continued to remain slightly open until about 3/4 of the way to top dead center.  I had already removed a fair amount  of stem to obtain the 5-7 thousands clearance.  I went ahead and ground some more off the valve (about .010 clearance) to try and get it to close sooner.  I wasn't able to get much improvement but put it back together.  It still would not show any compression.  After all was together gave it a shot of starting fluid and it took off.

I believe some galling occurred on the cam or follower and that has changed the lift/valve clearance.  I didn't want to open the case to investigate as I needed to get it running.  If it hadn't worked I was going to get a Harbor Freight cheap replacement.

I have run the compactor about an hour and it seems as good as it was before it failed.  At some point if what ever is wrong with the cam/follower wears off, it will have way to much intake valve clearance and will need to be replaced. 

Gary
Renton, WA