Need a little help guys....!Motor going up?

[MoGreen]

Bought a Bobcat Leo w/ 17.5 B&S about a year ago. It's the ELS 500 motor model#31L777-0110E1. It's VERY hard to turn over past the compression stroke, and has burned up 3 starters because of this. Less than 200 hrs on it, and been to the dealer many times. Called B&S and had the cam and compression relief valve replaced, but didn't fix the problem. (Evidentally, there was a service bulletin out for this) They "fixed" it for free....but it didn't help. I'm thinking of just buying a new motor out of pocket....
IF I do, what should I be looking for? Does the wiring harness of the new motor plug right up? I doubt it!
Here's the specifics: 3-5/32", 1/4" keyway, 7/16-20, 1" diameter shaft, keyway, alternator is 9amp I think....does it matter what amp it is?
I do not know what all of these mean, and all I could find were the specs for the 31L777-0036 motor which I guess is the newer replacement of my current motor. I guess it became obsolete? The mower is about 3-4 years old.
I assume I have to replace it with a B&S because of the bolt pattern on the mower?
I have been looking at the Vanguard 18hp.
I really would appreciate any help. I plan on spending around $1000-$1500 total. I can install it myself-I have basic knowledge and it seems pretty easy.
Thanks a lot!!!!

[Restrorob]

My question is;

Did they adjust the valves properly ?

On this engine the piston should be positioned at 1/4" past top dead center compression stroke before adjustment otherwise the compression release will not function properly.

[Bill Kapaun]

Ditto what rob said. PROPER valve adjustment is crucial! It may also save you the cost of an engine.
You can use something like a wooded pencil for a depth gauge. Get the piston TDC and mark the pencil at the spark plug threads. Make another mark 1/4" "out" from that on the pencil. Slowly rotate the engine so the piston goes down and the second mark on the pencil aligns.

31L777-0110-E1
31L777-0036
Go to the link and download the IPL for your engine!
You'll see the 0110 type uses a different crankshaft than what is "normally" used for that engine. ERGO, it won't work. The IPL doesn't list HOW it's different, but it's probably length and/or diameter.
As for alternator- both these engines use the same alternator, but since the crank is different.....Worst case on an engine swap is you can just swap the charging systems- flywheel, stator..

http://shop.briggsandstratton.com/BShopProductListingPage.asp?rsvp=0&PARENTID=0&SessionID=43C7B3A0-6A44-4EB2-B2CC-23B437198A68&MECID=100&CATALOGID=56B2B9A7-283C-11D4-8886-00B0D0203414

[Bill Kapaun]

Just to add. Go to this link and it will explain (somewhat) what the model# means.
You basically want an engine that ends in 77.

http://www.outdoordistributors.com/Briggs_And_Stratton/briggsmodelid.html

[MoGreen]

As usual, excellent responses, and lots of juicy info-just what I wanted!!
Shot an e-mail to B&S Corp. and just got the response back. Got a phone call at work from the B&S District rep and he assured me it would be taken care of. Brand new motor!!!
He said to take it to my dealer, and B&S would take the loss to make this customer satisfied!! Hats off! I am soo happy! How long should a break in be required before changing over to synthetic?
Thanks again!!!!!

[Bill Kapaun]

"How long should a break in be required before changing over to synthetic?"

You couldn't leave well enough alone!:)

[khouse]

At least 50 hours.
The squeeky wheel gets the grease. I put some squeeks toward Kohler and they replaced my 25 Command with a Command Pro and it's still running strong after 6 years. The first one started having problems at about 75 hours. This is how these large companies should treat the consumer. I would not hesitate to purchase a Kohler engine.

[MoGreen]

Yup, I have never had B&S as my favorite, but never really had a reason to dislike them either. My friend owns a HUGE local company (Parsons) and he said B&S has never let them down yet. If he has a problem, they take care of it-simple as that.
This experience has certainly instilled my trust in the product. They backed it up!! I am soo happy.