OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Briggs & Stratton Engines B&S 12.5HP Crankshaft End Play

Hi all,
I have a B&S 12.5HP I/C QUIET engine which I'm fitting to my Greenfield 12 Anniversary Ride On.
Engine details: Model:286707 Type: 4528-E2 Code: 000608ZD

As this engine was a unknown, I stripped it down and checked everything.
It is standard bore with no wear and all looks good except for the crankshaft end play.

The engine was fitted with a 0.015" crankcase gasket and had 0.019" crankshaft end play.
Now my repair manual states it should have 0.002" - 0.008" end play.
I have read elsewhere on the internet that up to 0.023" is acceptable, but I find this hard to believe.

I put the engine back together with all new gaskets and seals. I used a 0.009" crankcase gasket.
I now have 0.015" crankshaft end play.
The crankcase bolts are torqued to the correct spec.
I am also getting oil weeping from the crankcase gasket.

Now my manual also states that to reduce the amount of crankshaft end play, to use a crank shaft shim on the PTO side.
I have tried my local mower people to get the crankshaft shim with no luck. Unless I can supply a part number, bad luck.
I also asked the outdoorking shop and was told to join the forum and ask here.

I am hoping that by using a thicker gasket will fix my oil weeping problem and shims for my end play.

So, if any body knows anything about these crankshaft shims or what is an acceptable amount of end play, please let me know.


Cheers
Murray

with your oil weeping problem I find a thin smear of rtv blue silicone on either side of the gasket seals it really well.

Does your engine have plain main bearings or ball main bearings? The overhaul manual says a thrust washer cannot be used on engines that have ball main bearings at both ends. It also says if your crankcase is aluminium, you must not use a gasket of less than 0.015" thickness.

Hi Joe,
Thanks for your reply.
I suspect the two halves of the engine don't mate up all that well.
I did check and remove some burrs and marks before I assembled the engine.
If I have to use the thinner gasket, I was going to use some Loctite Master Gasket to help seal it up.
Cheers