Sears Craftsman Lawnmower assistance requested.

[HuskyMan]

Last evening I was mowing the yard when the lawn mower hit a large rock. The engine began making a "clanking" sound afterwards.

I turned the mower on its side and had a friend look at the blade when I pulled the starter cord. He noticed that the blade was hitting part of the blade guard and a part of the rear metal blade guard was nearly torn off the mower deck! So....I took a flat blade screwdriver and cleaned out a bunch of sticks and stuff buried under the side blade guard which allowed it to return to its normal position. Next, I removed two bolts holding the rear metal blade guard and removed it. It was ripped almost completely in half!

OK, next started the mower. It started but makes a loud "clanking" sound. I went ahead and finished mowing the lawn but determined to look it over today and check out my options. I called a mower shop and asked if they thought it might be either a broken flywheel key or a bent crankshaft. The tech said that normally if it is a broken flywheel key, the engine either won't start or is very very difficult to start because it throws the engine timing off. I asked him if it turns out to be a bent crankshaft could they repair it? He said yes around $120.

I noticed on youtube this hillbilly repair where she takes a sledge hammer and knocks the crankshaft back into round. She does state a disclaimer as to possible safety issues using her method. Does anyone have any experience with performing a 'hillbilly' repair method?

BTW, it is a Tecumseh engine. The Sears Craftsman model number is 917.387323

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubSk0Q2FFGY