Motor seems to lockup from compression. New battery exhaust valve set @ 7thou. Intake @ 4thou. Will start sometimes if you manually turn motor backwards prior to starting so it gets a good turning start.
Please help need to mow.

Check to make sure the battery is fully charged & term. Connections to starter are not corroded, next check the starter bendix gear for ware or starter may be draging.
Sounds more like a starter problem.

Hi,
Both valves should be at 0.004"
Peace,
Clarke

Like Crigby said 0.004 for both.
If the exhaust is that wide it would keep the compression relief from working .
Luck

Have the same problem... valves were set by a shop... still have same problem when do I measure the .004, tdc? Also now have gas mixing into my oil! Any suggestions to this one? Thanks for any help!!

I/4 inch after tdc.

Thanks got it!

That means set both of the valves to 0.004 when the piston is 1/4" after top dead center; (power stroke of a 4 cycle engine

1/4" can be found using a dial indiator in the spark plug opening.

How I fixed my problem after changing valves to 4thou, battery and starter.
Removed spark plug installed modified antifouler with elevator jack bleeder valve reinstalled spark plug opened bleeder valve 1/8 turn started engine closed valve. Mow's and runs great