governor removal

[DannyT]

am I at risk to throw a rod if i remove the governor but leave stock valve springs? I'm hoping the valve float will limit enough so nothing flies out of the crankcase and kills me.

 

[landuse]

am I at risk to throw a rod if i remove the governor but leave stock valve springs? I'm hoping the valve float will limit enough so nothing flies out of the crankcase and kills me.

You won't throw a rod. Valve float will stop that from happening. If you upgrade the springs however, you will need a billet rod

 

[DannyT]

any damage i'll risk though? Its a 5hp tecumseh, I know those things aren't kings of reliability.

 

[landuse]

any damage i'll risk though? Its a 5hp tecumseh, I know those things aren't kings of reliability.

No, you will be fine

 

[DannyT]

something i forgot to mention- my engine is one of the ohh tecumsehs with the plastic cam gear. will this be a problem?

 

[Russ2251]

my engine is one of the ohh tecumsehs with the plastic cam gear. will this be a problem?

Nope.
I have yet to see any camshaft failures, even when over revved or run out of oil.
I never understood the concern with their usage.
Edit:
Addendum: B&S has been using them since (at least) 1997. It is not just a Tecumseh thing.

 

[DannyT]

wow, i'm surprised. From the look of that thing, I can't imagine it spinning around at 5000 rpm.

 

[Russ2251]

wow, i'm surprised. From the look of that thing, I can't imagine it spinning around at 5000 rpm.

Camshaft spins at half the speed of engine rpm.

 

[chancer]

Hey Guys. Last year all over this forum from Senior members, everyone that asked about this was told "YOU MUST" open up the engine and remove the plastic Governor gear. OR the gear with break and leave junks inside your engine. Yes it was met with some argument but I am not seeing both opinions here.
I also have the same question: do I need to open up my Greyhound and Briggs and remove that gear or not.

 

[landuse]

Hey Guys. Last year all over this forum from Senior members, everyone that asked about this was told "YOU MUST" open up the engine and remove the plastic Governor gear. OR the gear with break and leave junks inside your engine. Yes it was met with some argument but I am not seeing both opinions here.
I also have the same question: do I need to open up my Greyhound and Briggs and remove that gear or not.

The gears do come loose and do cause havoc in your engine. I have seen pics of it here on the forum. Doc Sprocket had it happen to him. To be safe i would just take it out

 

[Axx3d]

Yup.. remove all of the unused parts from the gov setup prior to running it. Ive read on several other forums as well that the parts can work free and bounce around causing fatal engine failure. It isnt that hard and it doesnt take that long.

 

[zbuck]

If you do remove the govr'n gear, make sure you also remove the thrust washer behind the gear, or you will have a problem when off comes off the shaft.

 

[Russ2251]

Last year all over this forum from Senior members, everyone that asked about this was told "YOU MUST" open up the engine and remove the plastic Governor gear. OR the gear with break and leave junks inside your engine. Yes it was met with some argument but I am not seeing both opinions here.
I also have the same question: do I need to open up my Greyhound and Briggs and remove that gear or not.

I thought we were talking about Tecumseh plastic camshafts!!!
Governors are a different animal.

 

[DannyT]

i was talking about the plastic camshaft; i realize i need to remove the governor gear.