Troy-Bilt 27 ton splitter engine problem

[Cedar Row]

Engine is Briggs 7 HP OHC, about 20 years old. Has run and split fine every fall and winter. It became hard to start last fall with kickback, finally wouldn't start at all. Replaced starter rope (it broke), carburetor, throttle linkage and spark plug. It now starts ok, but hunts when idling, RPM seems low when splitting, and doesn't have the power it used to have. I tried seafoam, no change. One possible problem, carb kit came with a thick gasket, it was necessary to get the choke/run setup to work. Debating whether it is time for a new engine. Haven't taken the engine valve cover off and haven't inspected the motor block. Any suggestions?

 

[ballisticdoughnut]

Have you done a valve adjustment? May also need a governor adjustment.

 

[Maine choppa]

Hard to start, as in hard to pull over or excessive number of tries to get it to start?

 

[Cedar Row]

Have you done a valve adjustment? May also need a governor adjustment.

No, guess that is my next step. Governor adjustment seems a likely possibility. Once the engine is torn down, I'll go through yhr whole procedure. Or just buy a new engine. I'm 76 and not as good at engine repair as I used to be.

 

[Cedar Row]

Hard to start, as in hard to pull over or excessive number of tries to get it to start?

Was both, now starts easily.

 

[Maine choppa]

Had a similar problem on a lawn tractor briggs engine. Ended up being the cam was broken and the little weight that bumped the intake valve open just before top dead center was broken and not bumping the valve thus building too much compression for the starter and just stopping the motor from spinning. But a mis adjusted valve vill do the same thing.

 

[Cedar Row]

Pulled the head, some carbon buildup. got most of it off. Is there a solvent that at least will help remove carbon when I have direct access to the carbon?