OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Briggs & Stratton Engines Briggs 3hp -aligning timing marks

Got the green engine assembled today. Will post a video tomorrow of it working back on the edger. Having fun repairing these old Briggs flathead engines (such a simple design and really easy to work on). Have recently acquired a black one as a freebie, so I have shelved the bonnar frame repair for the moment. I am quite positive I can get this engine to work too.

Timing marks now aligned correctly


Plenty of assembly lube used on internals. Wear gloves, crap sticks to everything.


Even after 30mins, some scoring still remained, luckily it's at the bottom of the stroke and not too deep. Must have accidently chosen a really fine stone.


Cross hatch pattern left in the bore. Not quite 45� but close enough. Drill was rotating at about 80-100rpm and you have to work it hard and quickly (up-and-down) 1/2-1 second per stroke to get a good hatch pattern. New rings were fitted.


New sump gasket, used RTV to seal one side to the block to try and prevent leaks. Unfortunately, on my other recently repaired engine (red), there is leakage (consistently a couple of drops an hour around the bottom of the sump gasket- I think from near the bolt holes). Wish I had used some silicone.


Reused the head gasket, polished, lapped and gapped the valves. Cleaned valve ports and head.


Decided against painting everything, only the cylinder head got primed. Oh, and the 3 longest bolts go around the exhaust port.