Compression release mechanism and method for assembling same

A compression release mechanism that engages a valve operating device to operate a valve on an engine combustion chamber, said valve operating device including a cam gear, a can shaft rotatable with said cam gear, and a cam follower interconnected with said valve, said compression release mechanism comprising:

• a rotatable compression release shaft having a first end disposed within an aperture in said cam gear and having an opposite second end that engages said cam follower at engine starting speeds;
• a centrifugally-responsive flyweight having an inner surface that defines an aperture in said flyweight;
• a torsional spring;
• and
• a bushing having a first portion that is disposed between said compression release shaft and said flyweight inner surface, and having a second portion, said spring being retained between retaining surfaces of said second portion and said flyweight.

A method of assembling a compression release mechanism to an engine valve operation system, said valve operating system including a cam shaft and a cam gear having an aperture therein, said method comprising:

• attaching a torsion spring to a centrifugally-responsive flyweight, said flyweight having an aperture therein;
• inserting a sleeve portion of a bushing into said flyweight aperture, said bushing having a flange portion, said bushing also retaining said spring between said flange portion and said flyweight;
• aligning said flyweight aperture containing said sleeve portion with a first side of said cam gear aperture;
• and
• inserting a compression release shaft through an opposite second side of said cam gear aperture and into said sleeve portion of said bushing.