I recently acquired a Lawn Boy 10247 Silver Series mower S/N 220007438. After some minor cleaning and adjusting, it ran well, except it was running too fast; governor adjustment was needed, but with a service manual I wasn't sure how to do this. I tried cutting my lawn, keeping the RPM to what sounded like an appropriate level. After about ½ hour, it threw the connecting rod, damaging the piston in the process. The extreme scuffing on the piston skirt suggested inadequate lubrication. Lawn Boy specifies a 32:1 fuel:oil ratio, but I had read on this site that the newest two-stroke oils are good enough that all two-cycle engines can safely run a 50:1 ratio; this is what I use in my Echo backpack blower and string trimmer. My suspicion is that 50:1 may be acceptable for a Lawn Boy, but that I was over-revving it; maybe it wouldn't have blown at the speeds I was running it at with a 32:1 mix, but this is all a moot point.
The crankshaft, the crankshaft bearing and the crankcase appear to be undamaged. The cylinder has some minor scoring, but in my experience (albeit not recent), most two-cycle engines have some cylinder scoring which is mostly inconsequential.
M questions are:
1. Would using a cylinder glaze breaker be adequate to knock off any high spots off of the cylinder? I'm already going to have to purchase a connecting rod, needle bearing assembly, piston and rings, crankshaft seals and whatever gaskets are needed. If I also need a block/cylinder, I doubt that it's worth fixing.
2. Does anyone know where I can download get a (free) service manual for this mower? Free is best, but I'd be willing to pay for it as long as it doesn't cost too much.
3. It appears that the crankcase halves are sealed only with LockTite 6CC sealer; no gasket is used. Does this sound right?
4. Is it safe to run these engines at a 50:1 fuel:oil ratio (as long as it isn't over-revved ), or should I run 32:1, or maybe 40:1? I always use Echo brand two-cycle oil.
I'll be very appreciative of any other suggestions and advice offered to repair this mower.