Because these two issues, though related, are technically two different issues, I created two separate posts. I then accidentally responded in the wrong thread and this forum, unfortunately hasn't the option to edit/delete one's post. (By the way, no conflict or contradiction and, I think, my descriptions were well written and far from (I assume you intended) "half-assed")) Sorry for any confusion. This problem has been solved. The Mower deck blade adapter came apart. If I want to get past it I need to, one way or another, remove the stuck collar from the shaft and replace it. Case closed. Here is a link that might be useful: Dealing with the Stripped out setscrew is another story

Here is a follow-up on this same mower. I will start out with a synopsis. Did the following: New piston/rings Crank bearings Crank seals Cleaned exhaust ports (that were 2 2/3 clogged) Got it running easily after that. Throttle would not change RPMs very much and could not get it to change thru adjustments. Walbro carb. Changed that carb to another Walbro I had here. Off a very similar model mower and the numbers on the carb were the same, except new carb had primer port, which I closed. Now it starts on first or second pull. I can adjust the idle up to higher RPM. It will not level out and run smooth. Smokes a lot, like it's getting too much fuel. If I shut down the fuel valve it does not seem to have too much effect on the running characteristics. (It doesn't start running real well just before it starves out) I can mow with it and go thru high grass and it doesn't bog down and threaten to die. Just smokes all the more. I am not talking a '90 dodge mini-van with 200k and no valve guides left smoke here. I am talking 2 cycle start-up smoke, but does not go away. If anything it smokes less on startup than after 5 minutes running time. ALmost like I have about 2-3 times as much oil in the gas. I am running Mobil 2 Cycle synthetic oil so it shouldn't hardly smoke at all after start up. I did use oil while assembling everything, but that should have burned off after about 10-15 min's running and I have close to an hour on it now. Think that maybe I have another bad carb? No adjustment on the float on these. Plastic float with not metal parts. In good shape, too. Nice little mower here but I always seem to come up with the out of the ordinary problems on my little projects. Any help or thoughts would be appreciated. I think I am leaning towards a "shot" carb. Thanks Brad

Thanks for the info and link. If I comprehend correctly there are two ways to address the surging issue. 1) Drill out the existing low and high speed jets. This requires no aditional parts. 2) Replace the low speed jet with one from the RTek carb. 3) Replace the high speed jet with a suzuki jet. Both 2 and 3 require the old jets to be removed and new ones installed. Is this correct? I really do not want to drill out the exisiting jets. I'd rather replace the jets. Is the 81-1030 part nuber a Toro / Lawn-boy part? Is there a replacement part number for the high speed jet? If so, what is it and where can it be obtained from. Thanks again.

Lots of opinions, so I'll offer mine. First, the surging is a fuel metering effect and has nothing to do with the ignition. Since your mower is basically starting when you want it to, the CD pack (coil) at least is functioning but might be starting to weaken. It is common on the later LBs to have to replace the coil every few years. Does the engine surge when under a load when actually mowing? If so, it is running too lean and has to be fixed. If it just surges when not mowing, no repair is indicated, but metering jet enlargement would still provide smoother running. The assumption here is that you are moving the throttle lever, right after starting, off the 'choke' position and into the full-speed position, and that you might play around with it some to make sure it's off 'choke' and as high as it can get without going into 'choke'. Surging is a very predictable and 'normal' effect on these engines because they are leaned-out from the factory to meet EPA requirements. However, the normal enriching under load usually smooths it out. 87 octane is the minimum acceptable fuel. I prefer mid-grade (or half regular, half premium) because the fuel loses volatiles in the can (when you open it on a hot day, the vapors shooting out are the good stuff) and to a greater extent in the vented mower fuel tank. With mid-grade, you stand a better chance of retaining the minimum octane for the duration of the fuel. Additives: I use the following in my 2-cycle tools and also used it in my 2-cycle LBs when I had them, two of which had the Duraforce engine: At least 1 oz/gal of Marvel Mystery Oil in addition to the regular mix oil (up to 4oz/gal is okay), and 1/2 oz/2 gal of Sta-Bil 'Marine' stabilizer/cleaner for Ethanol-blended fuels. This is good whether or not you use alky fuels. Use of governor adjustment to mitigate surging: this has been effective for many owners. First, you have to determine if the air vane moves freely and snaps back when released. With engine off, remove air filter and observe throttle plate in carb in the wide-open position. Push air vane over and release to see that it snaps back to wide open. You should have a tachometer for this but you can make a small adjustment without it. Reach to the base of the air vane and find the round knurled disk at it's base - this is the governor tension preset. Give it four clicks clockwise. Replace filter and cover and start engine - use the mower to mow for at least five minutes. Evaluate engine speed and performance, including idle speed, to see if further increase in tension is warranted. The engine will increase RPM as the disc is turned clockwise and decrease with counter-clockwise turning. You don't want to over-speed the engine, but I don't think it's within the range of the preset to do so - you probably will only get 500 or more RPM max. Many, if not most, of these mowers apparently came from the factory with unusually low engine speeds, which tends to magnify the surging problem. I have also personally observed several owners who did not know to pull the throttle lever off 'choke' after starting, which really screws up the mowing experience - if you're getting clouds of smoke, heed this.