Gonna break my wrist trying to start this!

[dart451]

Working on a Swisher pull behind mowing deck that has a Briggs 217802-0114-E1 11.5 hp engine on it. When I try to pull it through, it likes to kick back and damn near breaks my wrist! Is this possibly because of the valve lash not to spec and not letting compression release work? Thanks.

[RoyM]

Either that or the ACR has failed. Also check the flywheel key, somebody may not have properly torqued the nut.

[dart451]

I'll check the valve lash in a bit...does anyone have a part number for the carburetor on this motor? It's a Walbro 4993 as I see it on the carb itself but when I try to find it, it's not looking the same...kinda like a Niki design...

[RoyM]

What is your date code? Briggs used both on that engine. If before 081215 the replacement is 593432, if on or after that date it is 796077. TheIPL shows a Nikki but a Walbro kit is also shown presumably for earlier engines.

[KE4AVB]

The Walbro was discontinue.

Nikki carburetors

794653 Carburetor superseded to 593432
-Used Before Code Date 08121500

796077 Carburetor superseded to 590399
-Used After Code Date 08121400

Camshaft is the infamous 793880 superseded to 84005207 (currently on back order from Briggs). Known for the ACR breaking off.

[dart451]

Sorry, date code is 050511ZA

[dart451]

UPDATE: I did check the valves and they were way off...I think exhaust were about .048 and Intake about .032... We shall see if this thing still wants to kick me to the curb when I try to start it. Gotta wait for a carb and fuel pump. Thank you all very much for your help!

[SUKI]

Boy I don't think I ever one that where out adjust and still run. You carburetor problem may have been because of this. Would not hurt to try old carb again after you get the new fuel pump.

[creia]

dart,
Earlier this year (April) I had a 1974 Tecumseh 8 HP "L head" with the exact same symptoms as your engine- I even started a thread about it on this forum. Some of the replies I received did suggest that incorrect valve lash could be causing this and I suspected as such. It turned out that the exhaust valve lash was out of spec (too wide). After I corrected it the kickback ("wrist breaking") went away. Hopefully this will correct yours as well.
Michael

[dart451]

The Walbro was discontinue.

Nikki carburetors

794653 Carburetor superseded to 593432
-Used Before Code Date 08121500

796077 Carburetor superseded to 590399
-Used After Code Date 08121400

Camshaft is the infamous 793880 superseded to 84005207 (currently on back order from Briggs). Known for the ACR breaking off.

KE4AVB, I got another carburetor, the 794653 but I have a problem with the choke on it. The choke on the new carb has a spring activated choke and the old one has a lever choke with the little coiled spring that fits in the detents. The new carb doesn't have a hole for the spring detent otherwise I would just change out the choke lever assembly. You know a good way to get this to work with a choke lever?