Briggs and Stratton engine rebuild kit?

[LawnBoy97]

Since I just bought a new mower to use next year, I thought it might be fun to rebuild my old mower. IT is an old snapper with a 3.5 hp briggs. Has anyone ever took the time to rebuild an engine? or is it just not worth it? I found this one, but I can't tell if it is factory or not. Engine Rebuild Kit For Briggs 90700 Series
Thanks

 

[Rivets]

During my years of teaching I have had students rebuild hundreds of these engines. Can you do it? With basic mechanical knowledge and a good set of tools you should be able to do it. I would not invest in that off brand rebuild kit, have tried them in the past and my luck is only 50/50. I suggest that you just buy the parts you need from your local repair shop. Do not buy anything until you have torn the engine down. You will need a couple of special tools also, may be able borrow or rent them. Below you will find a service manual which should help you decide which route you want to go. I will be out of Internet service for the next 5 days, but will try to watch for posts when I get back. If you have any specific questions please post back and if I don't some one will answer you.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12502267/B&S Service Manuals/01_270962SingleCylinderLHead.pdf

 

[LawnBoy97]

Thanks for posting that manual. I'm sure I will be helpful. I think I am going to look into this more and then go from there. And what specific tools would I need?

 

[Rivets]

Sorry I have not been around, deer hunting this week and no Internet at deer camp. Wasn't there a list of tools at the back of the manual? Micrometers or vernier, Ring compressor, possibly spring compressor depending on engine. Look through manual they will show others. The compressors should only be bought if you plan on doing this more often, I would borrow or rent for the first few.

 

[LawnBoy97]

Oh, I didn't get all the way to the bottom, but I did find on another forum that you can get a "shortblock" for less then a new piston assembly. What does a short block come with? The engine that is on it now is a briggs 100602-0121-B1, which I cannot find much about, except for the manual and parts list. I am just wondering if this would be a better option, as I would like to spend as little money as possible. Thanks.

 

[Rivets]

A short block is a block with the insides in it. You will the external parts of your engine and put them on the short block. Carb, flywheel, coil, head, etc. It normally comes with a full gasket set. With a short block you end up a new engine on the inside, with used parts on the outside. I have used short blocks to bring good old units back to life at a cheaper price than rebuilding, when the labor costs of rebuilding get too high.

 

[LawnBoy97]

That sounds pretty good. So I guess it would still be good to disassemble the engine just to check what it would need for a rebuild and then decide, right? But just so that I can do more research and things, what is a good site for short blocks and how would you find a compatible engine for the one that I have? Thanks

Sorry I was mistaken, the engine I am wanting to rebuild is on a Snapper, engine model number 12H802-0822-01, the number I had posted earlier was on a toro, sorry.

 

[Rivets]

As I said earlier, I would purchase from a local. Repair shop. One that does Briggs warranty work will be able to help you. Here are a couple of websites that might also help.

Installing a Short Block on a Small Engine

Small Engine Information

 

[LawnBoy97]

Thanks, there are like ten mower repair shops within about 20 miles of where I live, so next week I plan on calling around next week. Thanks for all the help.