Craftsman 316.2927 manual and then every 50 hours of operation thereafter, Muffler

and then every 50 hours of operation thereafter.

IMPORTANT: The engine must be cold when checking or adjusting the valve clearance. This task should be performed inside in a clean and dust free area. A new gasket must be used in this adjustment. A new rocker arm gasket (part # 791-182099)can be purchased from your Sears service center.

•Remove the muffler cover by pressing down on the corner with a flat blade screwdriver. Slide the notches on the sides of the muffler cover over the tabs on the engine cover and remove.

•Remove the two screws on top of the engine cover with a phillips screwdriver. See Figure 13.

	Screw
Engine Cover	Remove Screws
	Muffler

Figure 13

•Remove the screw on back of the engine cover. See Figure 13.

•Disconnect the spark plug wire and clean dirt around plug. Remove the spark plug from the cylin- der head by turning a 5/8” socket counterclockwise.

•Remover engine cover.

NOTE: Pull the starter rope out a little to give some slack and to ease the removal of the engine cover.

•Clean dirt from around the rocker arm cover and remove the screw holding the rocker arm cover with a large flat blade screwdriver or Torx T25 bit.

See Figure 14.

Rocker Arm Cover

Spark Plug Hole

Figure 14

•Remove the rocker arm cover and gasket.

Pull the starter rope slowly to bring the piston to the top of its travel. Make sure:

•The piston should be at the top of its travel while looking in the spark plug hole. See Figure 14.

•Both rocker arms should move freely and both valves are closed.

If not, repeat this step.

•Slide the feeler gauge between the rocker arm and

the valve return spring. Measure the clearance between the valve stem and rocker arm. Do both intake and exhaust valves. See Figure 15.

The recommended clearance for both intake and exhaust is .003-.006” (.076-.152mm). Use a standard (.127mm) feeler gauge. The feeler gauge should slide between the rocker arm and valve stem with a slight amount of resistance without binding.

Rocker Arms	Adjusting Nuts
	Gasket
Feeler Gauge
	Adjusting Nut
	Rocker Arm
.003-.006
(.076-.152mm)
	Feeler Gauge

Figure 15

If the clearance is not within specification:

•Turn the adjusting nut using a 5/16” (8mm) wrench or nut driver.

•To increase clearance, turn the adjusting nut counterclockwise.

•To decrease clearance, turn the adjusting nut clockwise.

•Recheck both clearances and adjust as necessary.

•Reinstall the rocker arm cover using a new gasket. Torque the screw to 20-30in-lb (2.2-3.4 Nm).

•Reinstall the engine cover and check alignment of the cover before tightening the screws.

•Replace the muffler cover and slip the long tabs on the cover into the engine cover. Slide the notches on the side of muffler cover over the tabs on engine cover. Snap into place.

•Check spark plug, reinstall, and attach spark plug wire.

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