On Sun, 14 Jun 2009 21:47:35 -0400, jeff_wisnia
wrote:

Peetie Wheatstraw wrote:

A friend ran his (maybe 3.5 hp) Briggs/Stratton push mower over an
unmovable (sawed off) metal standard. CLUNK!

Didn't do much to the blade, but the shaft looks bent. Will turn OK
for 180 degrees, -very- tight for the other 180.

Can such a shaft be straightened? If so, how?

Thx,
Peetie

While nothing is impossible, strightening a crankshaft bent enough to
create that "tight" result will cost your friend a lot more than buying
and installing a new engine or just purchasing a new mower.

Replacing the crankshaft with a new part (and new gaskets, keys and
seals where required) is a possibility, but only if your friend knows
what he's doing, has all the proper tools at hand,and doesn't place a
dollar value on his time.

Jeff
A big chunk of Sched 80 iron tipe the right size to fit over the
shaft, with the blade removed, can quite easily straighten a B&S
crankshaft. Taked a couple of tries, usually. A short chunk and a
light sledge hammer can do the same job.