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Old 03-23-2014, 03:12 PM   #1
dragos28
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Default Thrown rod

Hey guys ive finally found some time to have a look at my engine.
Its a 16hp vanguard

Everything was running just cherry until one day it just died on me.

Ive been talking with 1989Marathon and he has been extremely helpful, thank you.

Today I pulled my plugs again, had them cleaned so they looked better than new.
Ran the engine for about 30 min and this is what they look like

uploadfromtaptalk1395605370872.jpg

Thought I'd go ahead and pull the valve covers while im at it.

uploadfromtaptalk1395605418749.jpg

Thrown rod and damaged rocker. The plug on the right belonged to the thrown rocker.

The other side they looked intact so im still unsure why the plug is so fouled.

I adjusted my carb per 1989Marathon's instructions.

What do you guys suggest I do?

My only real fear and hope is that I dont have to pull the **** engine.. it was such a PITA to install.....
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Old 03-23-2014, 03:29 PM   #2
1989Marathon
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Default Re: Thrown rod

Can you push the valves open by hand? If so, it's not a big deal really. If not, there's trouble.
Is the rod bent?
The plugs look like it's running a little fat, but I run mine that way for safety.

Briggs made three different types of rockers for the Vanguard motors. You have the second generation. That type is the weakest of the three. The earliest version is the strongest. The heads had different mounting surfaces for the third generation. I would look for a set of first generation aluminum rockers/shafts. Here is a set, but they seem a little expensive.

Rockers

Here's what they look like.

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Old 03-23-2014, 03:46 PM   #3
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Default

Just checked. I can push them in by hand.

Also noticed that there is a steel and an aluminum one.

uploadfromtaptalk1395607559189.jpg
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Old 03-23-2014, 03:49 PM   #4
1989Marathon
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Default Re: Thrown rod

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Originally Posted by dragos28 View Post
Just checked. I can push them in by hand.

Also noticed that there is a steel and an aluminum one.
One steel and one aluminum rod is normal.
Are any of the rods bent?
It doesn't look like you have a rev-kit installed. What kind of rpms have you been turning?
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Old 03-23-2014, 04:20 PM   #5
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No bent rods.

Before this the engine would get up to 5k without hesitation.

Thanks for the link I emailed the guy about his rockers.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
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Old 03-23-2014, 04:27 PM   #6
1989Marathon
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Default Re: Thrown rod

Did you roll them on a flat surface, like a piece of glass to make sure.

If you have been running 5000 rpms without a rev-kit, you've been very lucky until now. Ask me how I know. At that rpm, the stock springs can't keep up as the cam is falling off, which allows the pushrod to come out of the rocker pocket. The rev-kit takes care of that issue.
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Old 03-23-2014, 04:28 PM   #7
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Default Re: Thrown rod

5000 rpm without a rev kit....that's prob why it broke. I'm thinking you need to upgrade your valvetrain if you are running that kind of rpm regularly. Listen to 1989marathon, he knows....
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Old 03-23-2014, 04:30 PM   #8
1989Marathon
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Default Re: Thrown rod

Quote:
Originally Posted by dragos28 View Post
Thanks for the link I emailed the guy about his rockers.
Just a note to everyone...

When posting on that site, don't mention anything about using these parts in a golf cart. If you do, they won't even talk to you. They are very fearful of liability if someone gets hurt.
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Old 03-23-2014, 04:33 PM   #9
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I havent rolled them but I think its just best to order the rev kit to be safe.
Can the rev kit be installed without pulling the engine?

Thanks for the heads up, if the guy asks ill tell him its for my lawnmower 😎

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
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Old 03-23-2014, 04:38 PM   #10
1989Marathon
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Default Re: Thrown rod

Quote:
Originally Posted by dragos28 View Post
I havent rolled them but I think its just best to order the rev kit to be safe.
Can the rev kit be installed without pulling the engine?

Thanks for the heads up, if the guy asks ill tell him its for my lawnmower
You can install the rev-kit without pulling the motor, or the heads. When you get ready, let me know and I can describe how. There are a couple different ways to do it to keep the valves from falling into the cylinder.
The rev-kit will also come with a timing offset key. If you decide to use it, the flywheel can be removed while in the cart, unless you have something in the way.
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