cant figure out hard starting and off idle bog

[Digdog]

How can I even get to the crank seals? One end has the drive shaft and the other you can’t even see.

Be sure the carbs are good first, if you get a chance with the engine running you can try spraying WD40 at the shaft of the PTO end where the seal is and if it changes tone the seal is toast. Yes you have to split the engine and you should change the bearings also, just be sure it's not the carbs or the plugs and if the compression and leakdown are good then do the test and see.

 

[mikidymac]

You can’t change the inner bearings or crank seals. Only the outer ones.