I replaced the connecting rod in a B&S 6.5 HP Intek. There appears to be no damage to any other component of the engine. Now, it will only back fire through the carb when trying to start. The first obvious answer is that the timing is off. I have checked the following:

* The dot on the crank gear lines up with the grove in the cam gear

* When they are lined up, the piston is just before TDC

* The mag on the flywheel is slightly past the magneto

* The cam is aligned so that both valves are down and the exhaust is the next to open.

What am I missing? It’s like the engine in 180 off but I can see no way of modifying the way it is set up.

Thanks,
Fred

flywheel key, simple but overlooked problem

yeah if you broke the connecting rod, and the key has just the slightest indention in it, needs replacing, and the old one will cause em to backfire out the carb. also gap the mag with a dollar bill, best way to get good spark out of em.

You got it guys!!!

I didn't think that would be it but that was the only part that I hadn't checked. Sure enough, it was sheared in half.

Thank you,
Fred

good, it is a constantly overlooked problem, most of the engines thrown away today, is on a count of sheared keys.

I was having the same problem. Found the key sheared then relaced it . Now it is not even firing .Infact it is acting like the timing is way off. Any suggestions. Thanks!