I think you can find an 11 or 12hp B&S engine at Northern for a similar
price. Just make sure the shaft size, length, and keyway are the same, and
ditto on the mounting bolt configuration. The rest should not be too hard to
deal with.

If your old engine just slowed down and stopped, chances are that the
crankshaft etc are all still good, once you manage to unweld the piston from
the cylinder! But after all that, you're still looking at a 21 year old
Murray/MTD product, and if you haven't taken real good care of it, something
else will break in a couple of weeks anyway. If, on the other hand, the
engine took a hit and the crank is bent or the flywheel sheared the pin,
then I'd go with a new engine assuming all other conditions are met.

This is a tough situation. If you have a lot of money invested in
attachments and accessories for your current unit, and if everything else is
really in top-notch condition, then a new engine would seem prudent.

Bob M.
======
"JimV" wrote in message
...
When that happened to my 11HP Briggs, I bought a new (all new in the
box ready to run, cast iron lined I/C) 10HP Techemseh from Northern
Hydraulics for $3XX (pull start). Runs great.

On 31 May 2003 22:50:34 -0700, (Scott) wrote:

My old 1982 Murray had an engine (Briggs Aluminum 11hp vertical)
lockup today. The oil was full and fresh (having been changed last
weekend) and the aircleaner in place and clean.

What caused it beats the hell out of me but I'm at a point where I
need to make a decision as to what to do now.

Could I get by with using a smaller replacement engine? How about an
8hp instead of the 11hp?

Another option is to bore the cylinder, getter a larger piston, new
rings, etc. Right now the engine will not turn over and I can't turn
it by hand which usually I've been able to do. I figure I'll have to
use a sledgehammer to get the old piston out. But is it possible that
I may still be able to use the crankshaft? Surely the piston is gone
and probably the rod but I'm hoping that the main crankshaft is
useable.

Then there's the option of getting a new 11 or 12 HP Briggs engine.
One I was has the recoil type shroud along with the electric starter
motor. If I spend money on this engine am I likely to see my
transaxle die next?

Thanks for all replies.