The engine self destructed because no one ever changed the oil per Mfr instructions. My question, is the bolt pattern (engine to deck) on other Briggs engines the same, e.g. 4, 5, 6, HP? Thinking of looking for a used/serviceable engine.
Yes, and most other brands of engine will fit as well, including Honda. If you go Honda, try to get it from a non-Honda branded mower. Honda engines installed on Honda mowers use a different sump cover and you'd have to cut some bits off to make it fit your deck.