I have a craftsman model 502256117 riding mower. On take down and changing a connecting rod, when I sat the timing, I lined up the mark on the crankshaft gear in line with the hobble hole on the camshaft gear. When I reassembled the motor with all things in their proper places and tried to start the motor, it kicked back so violently that it yanked the starter cord out of my hand. I also had some trouble trying to learn how to set the governer on this model.

Ben, August 2006

The flywheel nut must be torqued to 40 Ft Pounds.
I touque them to 50 Ft Pounds myself. If the nut is not tight
enough the key will shear and throw the timing out causing the kick back.
The governor should be adjusted to a max 3600RPM no load.

Rick, August 2006