Re: OT- Briggs engine repair, or look for another

Posted by jdemaris on November 02, 2004 at 15:17:21 from (209.23.31.73):

In Reply to: OT- Briggs engine repair, or look for another one posted by andy b. on November 02, 2004 at 07:57:30:

I disagree with a number of things mentioned in some other posts, but won't get into the details. Generally speaking, parts are not exactly "dirt cheap" but often, not many are needed. That being said, I think you need to determine if your engine is worth screwing around with. Without me knowing the vintage or application of the engine, check the following: Pull the head off and closely inspect the cylinder bore. If it looks quite scored up and if it's aluminum, then it's a "throw-away" non-rebuildable engine. If the entire engine is cast iron, or if the engine is aluminum but has a cast-iron sleeve/liner, that it might very well be worth saving. Now, look closely at the exhaust valve seat - especially if the engine block is aluminum. If the seat appears to be loose - or you see peen marks where someone else tried to tighten it, then the engine is junk. If the bore-surface is cast-iron, the seat is tight - then check for excess play in the crank bearings. If they are tight, and you don't see a lot of oil leaking onto the ignition points - they you have an engine that will last a long time with a little work. As far as the crud you see under and on the head - that's inherent in the design of any flathead engine - they are inefficient and run dirty. No big deal, just scrape the carbon out. One other wear area is the plunger hole for the little piston that activates the points (depending on what model engine you have). There's a repair-bushing available for it.
If, you determine the engine is not worth saving, a word of caution with short-blocks. They are often more expensive than buying an entire engine from one or many wholesale dealers.
A little bit on the history of the Briggs and Tecumnseh engines - a very brief and general one. The older ones were either cast iron, or aluminum with cast-iron sleeves. At some point in time, ca. late 50s, early 60s, both companies cheapened their engines for the United States "throw-away" market but kept on making the more durable engines for export to poorer and more frugal countries. Then, mid-70s Honda introduced competition that put Briggs and Tecumseh to shame. We were selling commercial walk-behind Bobcat and Bunton mowers during the early-mid 70s, and a landscaper would buy a new engine every year if things went well! These were 11 horse aluminum Briggs or 10 horse cast-iron Tecumsehs. Then Honda introduced their new 10 horse replacement engine, and it outlasted the others 3 or 4 to 1. Soon to follow, were updated optional versions of engines from Briggs and Tecumseh with things such as cast-iron cylinder liners, heavy duty air cleaners, better valves, and ball-bearing supported crankshafts. Briggs marketed many as "Industrial Commercial." In the mean time, Wisconsin started selling Subaru replacement engines, labled as "Wisconsin Robin" and they also were very durable. And today? I've lost track and can't tell who makes what. I worked for a Deere dealer and sold a lot of small equiment with Kawasaki and Echo small engines, but I'm not real impressed with the Kawasaki. Honda makes good stuff, I think Subaru makes better, and as far as today's Briggs and Tecumseh - I don't have a clue.

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