Removal and Installation of Briggs and Stratton Intake Valve Guide Seal 697338 or 590410 on L-Head engines

[sgkent]

Tried to find a how to on removing the low profile valve guide seal in Briggs and Stratton 120000 L-Head engines, but could not find one. None of the other videos where people were rebuilding a Briggs and Stratton 120000 series engine showed that seal being replaced. This is an important seal because it slows any oil being sucked into the cylinder during the Intake stroke. It sits in a relief cut around the valve guide, and sits below the deck of the intake port so one cannot get pliers etc., on it. To remove it use a small flat bladed screwdriver inserted thru side of the intake port, slide the tip under the seal at an angle, and carefully lever it out. To install use a deep socket or piece of tubing that is wider than the rubber part, and smaller than the pocket it is being driven into. Although it should seal on its own, if you are the cautious type, and want to guarantee a no leak metal to metal fit, use a little Loctite 518 if you have some, or High-Temp Permatex Ultra Gray RTV. If you do this, literally just put a film of the sealer on the outside of the metal jacket only, making it less than paper thin. Wipe up any excess and keep it off the rubber. If you put it in without sealer, there is a 99% chance it will seal on its own, and a 100% chance carbon will seal it in time.

This is for Briggs and Stratton part numbers:

697338 (1/4" valve stems) 120000 engines before 07/01/2011



590410 (5/16" valve stems) 120000 engines after 07/01/2011

 

[Auto Doc's]

I have not seen many engines of this design in years. I think B&S came out with them just before going to the OHV designs.

 

[Rivets]

I’m totally confused as Briggs part number 697338 is only used on 120000 OHV engines. Why are you trying to install it on an L-head engine? Full engine numbers would help, model type and code.