Back to the mower...
One of the immediate issues was the engine.
It was not tapped so you have to have a 7/16 UNC tap.
No worries, we did that.
If you are new. Try to ensure you begin the tap as close as possible to square. (I'm actually lying here, it must be perfect) Singer oil or WD at all times. Try and flush the tap. Rotate through about 60 degrees and backpedal about 120 degrees and repeat. This needs touch, be slow and patient. I use a large drill press for normal threading but the locations here demand a steady hand.
When you've done this for each then thread a blt of a bolt in to pat yourself on the back.
I did well and all were perfect. It's hard to send "feel" on the internet but that's as good as I'd venture, but be square and be gentle.
