Bottom Pushrod not moving after installing new head gasket
Hello, new to forum !
Unit Info
Husqvarna YTH 2042 Riding Mower
Purchased 2013 (About 8 years old)
Briggs and Stratton Engine model number is 331777 Single Cylinder
Problem: Bottom Pushrod not moving
Noticed a few weeks ago, engine started making white smoke. It got worse, but not obnoxious/
When the engine started, not a lot of smoke was visible, but after a couple of minutes it got worse, and especially under load when the mower was turned on.
As the mowing moved along, it made more smoke.
I figured it was the head gasket, and ordered the kit and took apart the head.
Made note of push rods and position and that the valves opened and closed when rotating the engine by hand.
Set engine to TDC Intake and
Removed the head and pushrods and cleaned the head and body and piston.
Attached the new head gasket and torqued the head to specs.
Inserted the pushrods and attached the rockers, lightly.
Turned the engine by hand and noticed the top rocker arm and pushrod moved like before but the bottom rocker arm and pushrod only moved very slightly for a few turns then stopped moving, put the top rocker moved as it should.
Tried to reposition the bottom pushrod many times. but could not get it to move.
What changed?
I have replaced head gaskets before and never had this problem.
How to I determine what is wrong and what caused it and how to correct it ?
I hope I don’t have to pull the engine and replace the cam !
Thanks in advance !
Rick