Hello,

I have a 17HP OHV Engine on a mower, It wasn't running right after a service was done, I removed the hood and the rocker cover, the valves have .250 (YES, 1/4 of a inch) clearance. I tried to adjust them, but the rocker nuts are bottomed out not allowing me to close the gap. I looked through the parts book, it lists two different push rods, a int and exh. I removed them and they are with-in a few thou of the same length. What could cause me to lose that of adjstment? In playing with it I watched the valves while turning it over they are actuating but just turning over is very hard (thinking because of the valves being so loose the compression release it not doing anything) So, how do I get the clearance back into check? Motor has maybe 40 hours on it.

Hello,

I have a 17HP OHV Engine on a mower, It wasn't running right after a service was done, I removed the hood and the rocker cover, the valves have .250 (YES, 1/4 of a inch) clearance. I tried to adjust them, but the rocker nuts are bottomed out not allowing me to close the gap. I looked through the parts book, it lists two different push rods, a int and exh. I removed them and they are with-in a few thou of the same length. What could cause me to lose that of adjstment? In playing with it I watched the valves while turning it over they are actuating but just turning over is very hard (thinking because of the valves being so loose the compression release it not doing anything) So, how do I get the clearance back into check? Motor has maybe 40 hours on it.
Follow up. Dis-regard this question. Who ever had this engines head off, had the rocker studs out also, they installed the guide plate upside down, making the pushrod-rocker geometry all out of whack. Making it so the adjusters bottomed out still leaving clearance. NOTE** it is marked TOP. So guess my mom won't be using that handy man for seasonal tune ups.

That's a good call. Gee to think you said it was just serviced too. Oh well, good job, glad you found the problem.