Deejay, spot on with the cracks radiating from the engine mounting holes. As we suspect, likely due to the engine vibration / bouncing around etc (they were there before I bought it) - I need to tune the ingine properly I guess. So I decided to weld the cracks and weld a plate to the underside for added strength. Although I am no welder I think it will hold- fingers crossed.
Mowernut if you have a look at either of the pics in my last post you can actually notice the blackening of the paint under the front of the engine. This is where I welded from underneath after removing the engine. The 4 x holes are where I originally riveted the strengthening plate underneath.
Deejay to my clutch issue, I dont have a captive cotter pin, I have 2 x "square headed" nuts that screw through the L/H side of the clutch housing and one tightens against the key on the engine shaft, and the other, directly opposite, tightens against the engine shaft itself.I think I have tightened both too much & both I feel are beginning to (slightly) spin. Maybe this type of set-up is incorrect here?? (may need to buy a newie) I can take a pic & post it when I get home from work tonight. I do have an old B&S/ 14 inch SB (not working) with the captive cotter pin but it suits a totally different size (smaller) engine shaft- therefore I cant use it.
