[jerkin]

Did a little spring maintenance on my 582 (B&S 16hp opposed cylinder) over the weekend and the first time I ran it I had trouble within the first 5 minutes, lol. This tractor has treated me well and doesn't owe me a nickel but it is old and I've known it's needed rebuilt or repowered for some time now, lost some power, burns oil, etc.

Anyways I was chugging along and it lost a good bit of power all of the sudden, I had the parts on hand for a tune up I was going to do so I changed plugs, fuel filter and fuel lines but it didn't change anything. The plug on the right side cylinder was carboned up quite a bit more than the one on the left. I could also smell gas and there is some gas in the oil.

First thing I thought was that I lost a cylinder so I pulled out my ignition tester and both sides are firing. It will actually start on just either cylinder so that's out. I ran a compression test and came up with 85 psi on the left and 70 psi on the right. It's just a harbor freight gauge so those numbers aren't set in stone but definitely a difference between the two.

My next thought was that I have an intake valve not closing on the right side but from the limited information I could find online it seems the valves aren't easily adjustable like other engines I've done where you just adjust the rocker.

Not sure where to go from here. It's not an IH cub as it has the aluminum case on the rearend, no hydraulics and besides the mower the only attachment I have is a junk snowplow. I've heard these Briggs engines aren't worth rebuilding but repowering to a Kohler would be expensive and I don't think the tractor is worth that. I suppose there's a chance that my float could be waterlogged or came out of adjustment causing it to flood out slightly.

Any thoughts are appreciated.