I replaced the connection rod on Briggs & Stratton 197400 8hp engine. Now it won't turn it over?

Question

Does the connection rod only go on one way? Some back ground I re-used my old piston and rings. The cyclinder appears to look very good there was some very minute scoring. Can anybody tell me why it would be so tight? It will only turn over if I use a wrench and turn it manually.

Answer 1

Yes your connecting rod only goes on one way.
You need to at least fine sand your cylinder. I use a 600grit wet dry and spray some lube on it. You need to sand cross ways when you look down into the cylinder it will be diagonal.
You may have messed up the rings when you took them out.
Re check your torque to the crank. It should be in inch pounds not foot.
The list goes on and on.

Answer 2

The most likely reason for the hard turning is that the cylinder is dry. Squirt some oil in it and see if that helps. Get some new rings and put it together correctly. The answer isn't always "take it to a shop" as so many say. Do it yourself and the outcome will be yours. If nothing else you will have had fun doing it and learned something too. Years ago I shimmed a valve seat into a briggs engine with a bush lite beer can. The engine is still running today. I also lapped the valve by hand. This stuff is not rocket science. Just fun to do.

Answer 3

It should be so tight- that sounds TOO tight. Are you turning this by hand with oil in it? Or dry? I agree, with new rings it shouldve been 'honed' a bit, theres a chance they wont seal right.
Another question - why was the rod needed to be changed? It didnt break did it? If it shattered while running, something could be bent ever so slightly. Did you use new berings? Condition of the crank?
Kidd

Answer 4

I don't know how to tell you this.....but you NEVER re-use old rings...they will NOT seal, and with that happing oil will leak past the piston and rings. You need to take your engine to small engine repair shop.