I just bought a craftsman model 502-255092 (10 hp tucumseh) mower and it was running fine, I changed the belts(put the wrong one on the drive... I've figured that out) It wouldn't shift well so I tilted it on its side(carb side up) I then tried to re start it and it turned over... but would not fire, when I turned the key off it continued to try to turn over. Now when I turn the key on just goes click... battery is charged, if I jump the started it turns over, but does not fire... I am stumped please please give me some direction

Mmmm. Did you dump water out of the battery when you tipped it over?
Check that and do a hygrometer test on all cells.

If oil got into the cumbustion chamber, then we will have to deal with that too, but first the turning over problem.

No I checked that first... I was able to get it started though just now, jumping the solinoid and spraying it with starting fluid, it ran... when it stopped it tried to start with the key... click... with jumper wire stared right up

FYI:
Don't use starting fluid on lawn mower engines. Use carb cleaner. It will work, but has lubercation qualities. What I was going to suggest is to take plug out and spray carb cleaner there. Leave plug out and cover and crank to remove the oil.

Thank you, it starts and runs, now I replaced the motion belt with the correct part number, but it shifts fine only when the engine is off, while running I have to rock it to shift... which seems to me to be a belt issue... but I know this is the right part number... also sometimes when pushing it backwards the motion belt comes off... frustrated but determined to make this thing run right

Kiss is correct, carb cleaner is the chosen product for the starting of small engines.

Thanks for all the help, the motion belt that I bought was murray part number 037x65ma, I looked up this part number and it is correct, how do I adjust the tension of the belt. I think it is too tight from what I have read(shifts freely with the motor off, won't shift with motor running unless I rock the mower)

I came up with two different Dayco belts:

L430 30535X1B 30 IN. S/D, 10 HP TEC. 5 SPD. TRANS.
1991 - 1991

L454 30535X1B 30 IN. S/D, 10 HP TEC. 5 SPD. TO DECK
1991 - 1991

You can verify your part numbers at Parts & Accessories | Shop & Find Lawn & Garden, Appliance Parts at Sears Parts Direct | SearsPartsDirect.com from Sears (http://www.searspartsdirect.com). Use the show diagram icon to positively identify the belt. Type belt as a keyword.

They are both 30", but seem to have different locations.

I can't find dimensions on the dayco site, but using the Dayco number, you can get an equlivelent belt at a NAPA Auto store.

Thank you... I'll keep you posted

I just bought a craftsman model 502-255092 (10 hp tucumseh) mower and it was running fine, i changed the belts(put the wrong one on the drive...I've figured that out) It wouldn't shift well so I tilted it on its side(carb side up) I then tried to re start it and it turned over....but would not fire, when i turned the key off it continued to try to turn over. Now when i turn the key on just goes click....battery is charged, if i jump the started it turns over, but does not fire....I am stumped please please give me some direction
Try some starting fluid to see if it's a fuel problem or pull plug and reconnect it to wire and then ground it while turning the key to see if it sparks.

STARTING FLUID is NOT RECOMMENDED for small engines. It lacks lubercation. Use CARB CLEANER.