Hello, engine is finished and running well.

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I turned the engine over with the spark plug out to bed the rings in a bit, prior to trying to start it.
It is a nice tight engine and the battery and starter motor wouldn't turn it over initially (battery is not the best either). I had to wind it back to get a run up at compression.

It eventually fired, again I forgot to check the governor arm, which was removed to replace the seal, it didn't over speed, just wouldn't idle.

With all parts cleaned, valves service, all new gaskets and seals, honed bore, new piston and rings, this engine now idles and runs smoothly at revs. Ready to go back into service.

Thinking back, I should have stopped using it when changing the plug, magneto and cleaning the carb didn't fix it.

This was my first large Briggs engine and I didn't find it too bad to work on.

To Grumpy, Gadge and Roebuck. Thanks much for you generous advice.

Happy is he who penetrates the mystery of things.