we have a crank straightener, have not used it in years
- The issue, even if the crank can be straightened (and on most newer engines with lighter castings, the sump often cracks when trying to straighten, anyway) - The crank can have invisible cracks and stress fractures that lead to the crank breaking off completely - not something you would like to have happen when you have a blade spinning at 19,000 feet per minute attached to it.
Considering the risk and cost (at minimum 1 hour labor plus oil seal and oil) better off just re-powering or replace the mower.
We have a goodly pile of scrapped complete engines (robbed of things like carburetors, fuel tanks, control brackets) sitting in the scrap pile waiting to be dismantled by someone and hauled away to the scrap yard.
So, generally when we explain the issues and show a worst case estimate , the cost to repair comes out to as much as or more than a replacement engine, and both are often more expensive than just buying a new mower from wal-mart or somewhere, so....
Ive thought about putting the crank straightener on eBay and see what we can get out of it, BUT it makes for a very handy work table
How poor are they who have not patience. What wound did ever heal, but by degrees? - Iago (Othello Act II, Scene 3)