I recently had to change the connecting rod in the engine of my riding lawn mower.
It's a Craftsman LT1000 with a 17 hp Briggs & Stratton engine.
Model 310707 type 0137-E1. Single cylinder, OHV.

I forgot to check the marks for the timing gears.
The gear on the crank has a key so it can only go one way. Both it & cam gear have small holes or dimples and from what I've read you are supposed to line them up. When I tried to start it, it won't fire & it appears to be blowing back through the carb.

Can you tell me if I've installed the cam gear correctly?
I've attached a picture showing how the gears are installed.

Also if someone knows where I can get a repair manual for this engine, it would be appreciated.
thanks
Kevin

Camshaft timing alignment looks to be correct.

What did you gap your valves at when you reinstalled the head?

I didn't change (or check) the gap.
Just left everything as it was.

Do you know what the gap for each valve should be?

thanks
Kevin

Intake valve lash = .003" - .005"

Exhaust valve lash = .005" - .007"

Hope this takes care of your issue.