Thinking of putting new rings in this engine this winter. Any suggestions?
Couple tips to condsider
When ordering parts like rings pay attention to the CODE ID.
Briggs changes parts numbers going by the code on lots of their engines, especially the OHV type.(including the rings parts numbers.
I've used rings from little red barn that sells on amazon with good results at usually around $40 per set for ONE piston and I've also used the $20-25 gasket kits with good results but for the sump gasket I use light coating of Yamaha bond 4 and clean the sump/block surfaces really good and I let the yamaha bond cure for at least 12 hours before adding oil. I also pay attention to the head gasket torque sequence. I also sometimes get the really good head gasket instead of using the flimsy kit type head gasket because you engine type is know for head gasket issues at the oil galley area.
I run leak down tests BEFORE deciding on rings and then if it indicates it's possibly the rings I take the head off and inspect the bore. I do a thourgh inspection BEFORE ordering parts, including removing the rod/piston.
Some of the rod cap bolts on some of the Briggs engines REQUIRES really good quality wrenches. If you round off the head on a rod cap bolt you are going to have a set back delay. I've had to take high speed carbide cutters and grind off a rod cap bolt's head to get the cap off and then remove the stud after the rod is out of the engine. This usually happens when the bolts are the 5/16 head type instead of the torx.