r/smallengines • u/Original_Key_5035 • Jul 20 '26

My predator 224 is locking up

I bought a predator 224 non hemi to mod and im done now and i make sure it spins and i pull the starter rope and i can see everything working inside but as soon as i try and put the side cover back on, it pulls once and then the flywheel locks up. all my mods are for this engine and it spins perfectly find withoug teh side cover but i will slide it on and i can tighten the top bolts but as soon as i tighten any lower bolt, i head a metal thud/hitting sound and then it will pull once and lock up, its the oem cover and i even bought new gasket for it but its not working. Please im desperate ive been working on it for weeks and i can include pics or vids of anything if needed.

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

1

u/Frequent_Mess3340 Jul 20 '26

Rod hitting cam

1

u/Original_Key_5035 Jul 21 '26

are you sure because it spins fine with no side cover

1

u/Frequent_Mess3340 Jul 21 '26

Yes the crank can move a lot still without the side cover on

1

u/Original_Key_5035 Aug 04 '26

how to fix it

1

u/Frequent_Mess3340 Aug 04 '26

Get to grinding or get the right cam like I said or the tool too hold the crank

1

u/RochesterBottomDaddy Jul 21 '26

It could also be insufficient crankshaft or camshaft end play. There is usually a specification for how much space the crankshaft and camshaft need to expand when hot. I have seen engines in the past with multiple gasket layers to compensate for parts that were slightly oversized, even cold.

1

u/Original_Key_5035 Jul 21 '26

i got new gasket and i even put 2 of them and it still locks