"Please help with lawnboy f engine rebuild. Proper way of staggering rings in relation to themselves and the exhaust port"

Stagger them so the gap falls between the exhaust ports on one side of the cylinder and the transfer ports on the other side and 180 to each other. But no matter, they will travel anyway.

"Also the proper way of installing the engine seals Do they go tight all the way to the case."

No, flush with the outside.

"The manual states torquing the crank bolts to 120 inches pound torque. Where does one get this type of torque wrench? "

Sears, any Auto Parts Store, large hardware stores, farm supply stores, Harbor Freight.

"Do the crank bolts get loctite."

Not normally, I never have used it but won't hurt.

Walt Conner

"Also the protrusion on the crank bearings fit into the case. Should there be any play in the protrusions in the case."

Missed this one, doen't matter. The protrusions just keep the bearing outer race from spinning in the case and must fit in the recess provided for them.

Walt Conner

Thanks Walt. How do I know the seals are driven into the proper depth. Are you saying stop when they are exactly flush with the outside of the case? I dont feel confident with this part. How do you install the seals? What if any are the tricks for removing piston rings and installing them. Will the piston slide right into the cylinder?

Walt, How much of the gasket maker do you use to join the the crankcase together? Thank you

"Are you saying stop when they are exactly flush with the outside of the case? I dont feel confident with this part. How do you install the seals?"

It is not critical. Main thing is to have the seal on a clean, bright, smooth section of the crankshaft. Recessed 1/16" - 1/8" is good. Another main thing is to keep the seal "square" in a true 90 degree plain to the crankshaft. I use a pc. of tubing the right size, I have seen where others use a pc. of rigid PC plastic tubing.

"What if any are the tricks for removing piston rings and installing them. Will the piston slide right into the cylinder?"

I remove them with my fingers, sometimes a small screw driver if they are stuck, breaking them if necessary. Use the broken part of the ring to scrape out the ring groove.

The inside of the cylinder wall is tapered, you may have to ease the end of the ring in with a small screw driver. I use grease or oil on the taper and piston/rings before installing.

"Walt, How much of the gasket maker do you use to join the the crankcase together? Thank you"

You just need a thin, continuous film all the way around, excess will squeeze out, you don't want to squeeze a lot inside.

Walt Conner

Does anyone hone cylinder walls anymore?
Or mike them to make sure a standard size piston
won't be too sloppy?

"Does anyone hone cylinder walls anymore?
Or mike them to make sure a standard size piston
won't be too sloppy?"

I'm aware of two shops in my small town that does. But I live in the sticks and we rely on using our power equip to the max and beyond instead of throwing it away when it farts.

Neal