BS 33R877_002 G1 hard crank, difficult to overcome compression

OK, I just found a youtube video where a guy had the exact same scenario and he replaced the camshaft.  I saw the compression relief component, a extra spring loaded lobe on the cam.  His was broken off.  I suspect that is what's happening here.  What a PITA to have to pull the motor for that.  Oh well.  Such is life.

Thanks for the tip.  It is the cam...  coming up to and over TDC on compression the intake valve does not crack open.  In fact the valve remains fully shut and the clearance remains at .004 where I set it.
 
With a "hot" battery fresh off the charger the mower will start.  It just needs to get past that first compression block.  My friends say that this has probably gone on for years attributed to a weak battery.  They have had to charge them frequently and even replaced at least twice.  In fact before learning about this issue I replaced the battery for them again. With most vehicles and engines 99% of the time it is the battery.  I guess I am learning new stuff with these B&S engines.  
 
BTW, I also reset the exhaust IAW your specs.

Took it apart today and indeed the cam compression release had failed.  I found a few pieces so far... the big curved articulating piece, the small end piece that broke off of it, and the spring.  I will look at the new cam tomorrow when it comes to see if there might be more stuff to fish out of the crankcase.  Otherwise the engine looked very good internally.  Super clean.
 
Here is a pic:
 
 
 
 
 
 

Darn, the replacement cam I have coming is the 793880.  No wonder it is on sale.  I did a search for the new part # and don't see it offered anywhere.  Are we sure that part # is correct?  It has 2 more digits than the old one.  This seems like one of those things that should be a recall... not safety of course, but out of appreciation for customers.  They may save some money on parts but bad will is very hard to recover.

LOL... this is why I will never personally buy a piece of equipment (junk) with a B&S engine.  When you have to R&R an engine repeatedly for a defective part that pretty much makes it a consumable... and then they hold back the upgraded version something just ain't right.  Can't make this stuff up.
 
IMO, this thing should really be a recall... or at the very least B&S should offer the new camshaft immediately and at a discount.  They may save some $$ selling off the inventory of old defective parts, but that won't buy them any good will from customers which is worth a whole lot more.

Oh yes, I understand about superseded parts for just about anything complex that is manufactured.  But all parts aren't equal.  What bothers me about this that it seems to break at a very high frequency (I bet B&S will never share their data) AND requires engine R&R to repair.  This mower and another one were primarily used by a couple of women who aren't very mechanical and they threw some good $$ for batteries that weren't really bad. They have a newer Kohler powered Husq mower that replaced another B&S powered craftsman that blew its engine, possibly caused by the Nikki carb flooding issue.  They have these things in for annual service but all they seem to get is oil, filters, belts, and a quick look over... and the ladies never told the shop about the hard starting.  It does seem like this one did have the valves checked or adjusted at one time or another... but the shop neglected to use a gasket on the valve cover and just glued it on.  That was a PITA to get off and clean up.  Luckily I am at least able to do this repair for them which will save several hundred $.  Maybe this crappy new cam will last until we are ready for another new mower.  I have seen reports where they last only a week for some folks.... and a couple/few years for the lucky ones.
 
 
 

Do you guys happen to have the torque spec and tightening pattern for this 3R877_0002 G1?  Searching for this info is painful.  Otherwise I am just going to have to wing it. I am guessing about 15 lb-ft.
 

Well, LOL... it came.  And I am going to send it back if you guys can point me to someone selling the upgraded part.  Look at this label... this particular cam was made 7 years before the mower it would be going on!  I was hoping to wrap this up today, but oh, well.
 

Roy
The 793880 should be out of the system, it was superseded before I retired over 5 years ago. Somebody is not moving much stock maybe you need to find another dealer. I am wondering if they are flogging cheap aftermarket parts under OEM numbers, I have seen that happen. Regarding the adhesive, Briggs does not supply a gasket for the newer engines. I hate the stuff too, try prying a Kohler Courage or Honda GC apart.

Believe it or not the Briggs US distribution warehouses is still sending out the 793880 camshafts. My distributor here dropships orders directly from Briggs.

 
 
Thanks for the manual link and tip.  I'll keep it on the light side of the spec and use blue Loctite.
 

AVB
 
220 in-lbs (18.3 ft-lbs). Just note that right at the edge of stripping the threads. I one screw to start trying to strip at 215 in-lbs.
 The torque sequence in the service manual.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-g4TpKUJnh7WXBmMnJ2akI4S0E/view?usp=sharing
 

AVB

raylo
Do you guys happen to have the torque spec and tightening pattern for this 3R877_0002 G1?  Searching for this info is painful.  Otherwise I am just going to have to wing it. I am guessing about 15 lb-ft.

220 in-lbs (18.3 ft-lbs). Just note that right at the edge of stripping the threads. I one screw to start trying to strip at 215 in-lbs.
 The torque sequence in the service manual.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-g4TpKUJnh7WXBmMnJ2akI4S0E/view?usp=sharing