I know that it's not recommended to use a bushing engine as a pusher. The prop pushes the crankshaft assembly back into the backplate and quickly ruins the engine.

Would it be possible to buy a couple extra thrust washers and put them behind the drive washer. That would pull the crank forward enough to get it seated where it needs to run.

I know that when you set a bushing engine for standard tractor prop--the load pulls the crank forward and seats in against the rear side of the bushing.

Do you think it would work to put a couple extra thrust washers behind the drive washer to "adjust" the crank forward against the rear bushing seat in the pusher configuration?

Thanks