"Peetie Wheatstraw" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 14 Jun 2009 21:24:47 -0500, "Don Young"
wrote:


"Peetie Wheatstraw" wrote in message
.. .

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
All manufacturers and most mechanics do not recommend it. However, it can
be
and is done. Some engine shops have a tool/fixture for doing it and
others
will not attempt it. I have straightened several, some while in the
engine
and some removed, and have never had any problems with them. There is a
risk
that the shaft might be already cracked or be cracked while straightening
and that is why it is not a recommended fix. A shaft bent severely enough
to
bind would not be a good candidate for straightening.

"It takes a special tool/fixture and there are (obviously) risks
involved"?

I had to ask: for all I knew, there might be a splined connector or
some-such
between crank and blade-shaft, which could be easily replaced. No such
luck,
evidently.

Thanks,
Peeite

I'm pretty sure the blade is connected more or less directly to the
crankshaft but I've not yet determined if the threaded fitting it attaches
to is removable. It looks like it should be. In any case you can often
find people giving away lawnmowers with those engines (or even better
engines) on Craig's List so as long as you can get one that doesn't have
another bent crankshaft you could probably make one good engine from the
two.