Generator Engine Rebuild - 10HP Briggs and Stratton 

I'm honestly blown away at how well that crank journal turned out! Truly incredible to be able to save that

Well worth watching. I learned two tricks, the acid to remove the aluminum, and how to use a rope with the sand paper.

You're the best mechanic out there for small engines

Thanks James. I've learnt a lot about gasoline engine repair and rebuild. God bless you.

Never saw that rope & sandpaper trick before! Awesome! Can't wait to try it myself.

Hey great video, I am a merchant Marine Chief engineer for the past 25 years working onboard ships, I just wanted to point out something I learned from an old-timer regarding torque, the reading can be off as much as 25 pound feet when stacking hands on tool the higher up on tool the higher the reading not sure if that is true on small torque settings, I bought 3 10000exl for $150.00 all run 1 had blown head gasket, blowing oil out front seal, replaced seal head gaskets lapped valves reassembled now I am getting 140psi each cylinder plan to test later today. Just wanted to say thank great video series slot of help Brian Ryder

In my world, this is the perfect video of this kind. It is long; detailed; unusual issues are addressed; suspense; surprises; requires unique approaches to disassembly/assembly, etc. Your controlled demeanor and no frills process makes this one of the best channels out there. Thank you for doing these for us. I recognize how much time is involved in producing one of these quality videos.

Not bad.. I used to rebuild old lawnmower engines as a kid of 12 -14.. (that was back in the 60's) the compression I always strived for was 105.. But I would hone and cross hatch my cylinders lap my valves, everything was mic'ed and in proper tolerances.. other wise my dad would make me do it again.. I got to do my first car engine at 16.. and to my surprise it actually ran and lasted for many many years until I sold the car... I am to old and broken these days (I did my last car restoration 2 years ago a 62 t-bird) So now I just watch others do it.. thanks for the memories brother I appreciate it.. I also wish you luck with your you tube channel... Carry on!

If this guy is a surgeon he will be the one doing surgery to me, very careful and very steady hand. Thanks for another amazing video, awesome step by steps explanation/ instruction. Learning a lot from you thank you sir..

woah my mind was blown that sanding with rope is some 200iq stuff right there, good video cheers

I was supposed to remind you of something. Can't remember what it was. It drove me nuts to see you put back the old black rusty cover. 2 minutes with a paint can. It is still the best video ever.

Nice work, I'm glad that engine was able to be saved, now it has a fresh rebuild and should provide many hours of service on that generator if taken care of and not run low on oil again.

Thanks James. I learn so much from these. I appreciate all the work you put into making the process of diagnosis and repair so easy to follow.

Best episode/tutorial yet.............really useful demonstration of small engine repairs, even for some serious damage. Pro Tip - A lot of people now use a oiled wet stone to clean decks and heads, it keeps the surface true and cleans up well.

Thank you for saving me the time and hassle of pulling the flywheel off of mine. I guess these modern magnetos don't use points and condenser, at least not under the flywheel.

The valve hit was clear to see when you first took off the head. Because of it I would fear the valve head was bent. Reseating/grinding the valve would have proved it would still seal at a minimum cost and effort. Nice result all the same. It's easy to see the joy you get from getting them going just right. Congratulations.

That rollock nylon bristle brush is the cats meow for cleaning aluminum mating gasket surfaces.

Nice video! General practice dictates anytime new rings are installed, 60 degree cross hatch pattern applied to cylinder wall as it helps the rings to seat. Love the trick with the acid, amazed the crank was not harmed.

Awesome video. I really liked your rope trick to get the flywheel back on.

You are an excellent tutor, I watch your channel more often and learning a lot. Bless you

The hands of a surgeon! Nice work

I don’t think it’s possible to know less than I do about mechanical engineering, much to my late father's disappointment, but I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Can I also compliment you on your filming, it was excellent and we could see everything in detail.

You've made my day...my week, James. Great video....you're such a talent.

I've been waiting for this one. Love that rope sanding trick. Thanks so much for another really great video.

You are a great mechanic which are hard to find.

been learning a lot of new things on the way with your videos have been watching all a few times over and over ...

James, one of my favorite head and cylinder block mating surface cleanup is sandpaper sheets on a piece of tempered glass . The Subaru guys seem to like this method as well since 2 cylinder heads are small , and the blocks are manageable when split.

That refresh on the journal was pretty cool. I had a bad head (Honda ATC) with scored cam journals and I never thought to try and clean it up. Nice work!

I loved the video. You teach in a way that makes me feel like I am in a class room. I loved that you spent your time to do this video. I love to learn more each day in life. In my life time I have worked on small one cylinder up to eight cylinder Diesel engine generators. Each unit has a character of its own. Size does not always matter.

Since you had this engine torn down that far, I would have lapped the valves.

I love the rope sanding trick. That's a new one for me. You do great work.

Nice video! I loved the method of sanding the crank with the rope and strip of sandpaper. Thanks!

Always a leaning experience watching your videos, I guess that's the point isn't it. You instill confidence in all those who watch, I'm sure. I know you do me. Thanks again, James.

That rope trick now lives in my back pocket. Thank you sir

A late comment. You really need a 5 gallon bucket of Evapo-Rust. Even though one won't see much of the flywheel it surely will look better and you can toss in the crank shaft as well. The stuff works great. As always IMHO!

Excellent video bravo! Adjust that governor and you're in business! A+

It still gets me every time, the ware and force the rings are subject to, the oil control are so thin, now granted they're not under a great deal of tension but they are hot and moving

I have this exact same generator and engine. Same problem as well. Broken rod. It must be a common issue with these engines. Thanks for sharing this video. I have never built an engine before but im going to attempt it because of this step by step. Wish me luck.

this was great to watch James! learn things every time i watch! thank you

Great detail on repairs!

Your voice and demeanor are reminiscent of old “Jack Handy”. Great videos.

I never stop learning, Thanks for this great video James!

Soap and washer and kitchen sink. I use them all the time to clean up stuff. My wife hate it but she is used to it by now. One thing I use it for is to clean up dirty sprocket cover on chainsaws. After cutting wood they are filthy. I scrape off caked up sawdust and oil and then coat them with Dawn and hit them with hot water and a scrub brush. They are immaculate when I get through. I shake off any loose water and wipe them dry with a couple of paper towels. I then put them on my workbench in the sun to dry. I do this as one of my first steps cleaning the saw, so they have time to dry. I also crank up the saw after cleaning to redcoat everything with some bar oil - don’t want metal parts rusting during non use. Have never had any problem doing this. If the sprocket cover is really dirty I may spray it with degreaser before washing. I also use the sinks sprayer to get rid of any sawdust hidden in cracks and crevices. Stihl sprocket covers are much easier to clean than Husky covers.

I love it. To bad Harbor Freight can’t sponsor you !

AweSOOOOME. Nice save and even more exciting for you now that you have a machine to put it on already too! $100 for a generator with a blown engine is crime imo. I've gotten good running generators for $100 and $150 here in north central NC! Thanks for the education and keep them coming, James! Was great to see you on Ken's live stream last week too. 👍

I luv the way u meticulously do your work

James Condon very well done

I just rebuild a mower I hand picked off the scrap heap.....Great instructions Thank you!

Your the first I've seen that has finished sanded a journal the correct way!

I love autopsies.

Good idea with the rope to help wet sand the journal came out super nice good as new

Good restoration

Great instructions, motor sounds like a new one.

James when you hone a cylinder don't use WD40 use old motor oil much better for honing blocks and better for the cylinder good video

Hey Jim, I really enjoyed your video clip. Thank you for sharing.

I can only imagine the squeaks and then shrapnel sound it made when that rod locled up on the crank

Im going to have to remember that rope sanding trick. bet it would do great for other sanding projects too.

Wow ... the crank looks really good!

I am the god of the lower back - they call me common sense. You have been brought to my attention and I am here to tell you- design a cheap overhead crane (come along) and GET YOUR WORK OFF THE FLOOR". You deserve it and many blessings will follow. Do not hesitate, do not think about it. Just get your work off the floor. PS - You vids are technically perfect- great job.

Great video! See 9:55 for piston valve strike marks.

Love these videos! Seems like you get lots of briggs and that is what is cheap around my area too! I have 5 in my garage as we speak and you got me started.

Nothing is "junk". A lot of useful parts there !!!

great job James ! ENJOYED..

Nice work. You do very good work. Don’t be afraid to post your stuff. (Engine rebuilds)

While watching the last video i was thinking: “i really hope the next video will be an engine rebuild” You literally read my mind😂

This is the most satisfying video I’ve seen in a long time.

Love the low buck ring compressor 🙂

At 24:00 those are those are not crack in the crankcase. they are heat crack in the die that casted the crankcase. I was a mold maker that made molds for zinc and aluminum die cast molds and have seen lots of those heat cracks. Those surface defects you see in the casting represent an well used die that made a lot of castings. They are nothing to worry about in the casting other than visual appearance.

You do a great job with your channel and I enjoy your videos. A suggestion, if I may. I spent way too many hours working on the floor on my hands and knees and kneeling and squatting. It took it's toll on me physically and it manifested itself later in life. Please consider getting a lift table or at least move your projects onto a table and work more comfortably. It will pay big benefits when your beard turns gray. You only have one back and two knees. Thanks for what you post. Very informative.

Really fantastic, so helpful video thanks a lot for sharing this!

I want to say thank you for this video I learned a lot about the rocker arm assembly for the piston mine has the same exact problem now I know what to do thank you

I rebuilt the exact same motor, exact same damage, I was able to remove all the aluminum that was galled onto the crankshaft with sodium hydroxide. After polishing the crankshaft was still at brand new specs and you couldn't tell it seized. All it needed was head gasket, crankcase gasket and connecting rod. Engine runs perfect now

The 100 doller parts washer at harbor freight works great for me for stuff like this and even large engine parts might be worth it for you

Good Vid James. Keep them coming!

Great work thanks for sharing 👀🇦🇺👍

That head looked better than new when you were done with it!

Fantastic information as usual.

I really enjoy your videos. Incredibly interesting and relaxing. Thanks for the effort. Oh, remember to get that lift table so you can save those knees and your back.....

Wow one of the best videos I’ve ever seen on RU-vid and I’ve researched a lot of stuff to fix stuff is very educational and methodical the way you do things amazing thank you so much for this I have a troy built that a customer gave me when I was doing their floor that they started during a hurricane but forgot to put oil on it it’s a troy built 5550 and I think just the rings caught on the cylinder wall I haven’t taken the part yet but it moves just fine nothing seems to be broken but I think after watching this video it’s worth investigating thank you so much

Great job 👍🏻 Great video can see ever thing you doing

An alternative to spinning your valve in a drill press is to roll the shaft of the valve or a pushrod on a piece of glass. Doesn’t have to be anything special, the glass from an old picture frame will do. Glass is very flat and very unforgiving. It will expose any bend in the valve head or bow in a straight shaft. Glass is also a great tool for testing bearings.

Nice video if I was wanting or needing to rebuild a B&S generator 10hp motor your video would be great 👍 watched it beginning to end

You took away the cooling capability from an air cooled engine and ran it for 2.5 hours. Smart! LOL

Great videos suoerb. I just have to say though ive never seen anyone so obsessed with torque specs.

A great video, thank you for sharing.

Your video's are great man, I'm learning so much from you.

Concise well made video Good job. Only negative for me is music . Your skill and demeanor are pleasant to watch. I cant believe you worked on that engine on the floor it would kill my back. Thanks for sharing.

Very nice job. I think you lapped the valves but I did not see it in the video. I usually take off the aluminum from a crank the way you did and sometimes I just polish it off with a very fine emery cloth. Great video. Thanks

Very nice build, enjoyed it

Sizzling is hydrogen being released, small amount of aluminum so I wouldn't be too concerned but be careful if you ever use it on larger amounts, hydrogen mixes with oxygen and is very unstable and create explosions. But good choice using hydrochloric acid to quickly dissolve the aluminum and leave the steel maybe slightly etched, smart dude we have here!

I would have lapped the valves. Good job man.

James,, Yet another cracking video

Nice great job James

Done and dusted well done.

For cleaning the crank I would have used sodium hydroxide (drain cleaner, lye, whatever you want to call it) since it completely destroys aluminum without attacking the steel. Acids will cause steel to rust and corrode while sodium hydroxide will not do anything to steel. Nice trick with the rope and sandpaper btw.

Wow the connecting rod is all that completely broke and the piston skirt surprised it didn't go through the block and surprised the cylinder is so clean normally there would of been a hole in the block

Great job!!! Excelent video... 👍👍👍👍👍

Great video, but am I the only one stunned by the price of a piston and rod for that thing !?!?!?

Another great video, thanks!!

Nice work! 😎👍