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GUIDO 10-19-2012 15:59:53 71.168.196.92 Report to Moderator	Hello Bud in WV, If the engine has overhead valves, chances are they need to ge adjusted. .003 on the intake and .006 on the exhaust. The compression release will not work properly when the valves are out of adjustment, making the engine hard to crank! Make sure there is no load on the engine while you are pulling on it to get it started. Guido. [Reply]   [No Email]
George Marsh 10-19-2012 16:52:43 64.12.112.162 Report to Moderator	Re: Log splitter engine hard to pull. in reply to GUIDO, 10-19-2012 15:59:53   Guido, Totally agree, exhaust valve adj is critical. Decided to google briggs decompression valve. I know for a fact that honda uses the exhaust valve and cam for decompression. Wasn't sure that briggs did too. Here is what I found out. There are two types, both on the camshaft. Lower HP (around 8HP or less) typically have a lobe with a bump on it that keeps a valve (often the exhaust) open at RPMS under 250, aiding in starting because the valve does not fully close) Larger engines have a counterweight on the cam that swings "up" at the same RPMs are "removes" the high spot achieving the same affect as above. The first time I was told to check the exhaust valve clearance on a hard to crank engine, I thought they were full of it. Come to find out, the small bump on the exhaust cam doesn't work if the exhaust valve isn't set to spec. George [Reply]  [No Email]
GUIDO 10-20-2012 06:29:22 71.168.196.92 Report to Moderator	Re: Log splitter engine hard to pull. in reply to George Marsh, 10-19-2012 16:52:43   Hello George Marxh, B$S has had "easy spin" starting for years! The old system always had the exhaust valve openig even on the compression stroke. Even though it did so, it was a mere 1/200 of a second at 3600 R.P.M.'s. the exhaust valve stayed open 1/100 of a second at start up speed. Force required to start the engine was reduced by 50%, and would be noticed by wimps er people that had trouble starting an ordinary engine. Now How do you check compression when you know that the engine has a compression release? Guido. [Reply]  [No Email]
George Marsh 10-20-2012 16:06:09 50.104.232.125 Report to Moderator	Re: Log splitter engine hard to pull. in reply to GUIDO, 10-20-2012 06:29:22   Hello Guido, I don't worry about compression on a small engine. If it fires and runs, that good enough for me. Don't know how you would check it with compression release. I buy most of my small engines new, take care of them and don't have too many problems. When briggs had 3.5 hp flat heads, I would have problems with exhaust and intake valve seat recession. Had to grind a little off the valve stem. With overhead valves, I've had about 6 that needed the exhaust valve clearence tightened up. Have a 20 hp kohler command with hyd valves. No problems at 1200 hours. George [Reply]  [No Email]
George Marsh 10-20-2012 15:23:53 50.104.232.125 Report to Moderator	Re: Log splitter engine hard to pull. in reply to GUIDO, 10-20-2012 06:29:22   Hello Guido, I don't worry about compression on a small engine. If it fires and runs, that good enough for me. Don't know how you would check it with compression release. I buy most of my small engines new, take care of them and don't have too many problems. When briggs had 3.5 hp flat heads, I would have problems with exhaust and intake valve seat recession. Had to grind a little off the valve stem. With overhead valves, I've had about 6 that needed the exhaust valve clearence tightened up. Have a 20 hp kohler command with hyd valves. No problems at 1200 hours. George [Reply]  [No Email]
GUIDO 10-20-2012 15:40:17 71.168.196.92 Report to Moderator	Re: Log splitter engine hard to pull. in reply to George Marsh, 10-20-2012 15:23:53   Hello George Marsh, The old flat heads were prone to exhaust valves and seat burning. To chech for compression on an engine with a compression release, you bump it the opposite direction of rotation. If it kicks back the compression is good........................Now you know! Guido. [Reply]  [No Email]