Replacing the head gasket on a Craftsman riding mower

My Craftsman riding mower (917.272680) with a 17.5 HP Briggs & Stratton engine was smoking and burning through oil. Just about every week, I would need to add a half pint - pint of oil!! After some research, I realized that the head gasket was probably blown, so I ordered a gasket kit and got to work. Sure enough, the gasket was bad!
The repair was fairly straightforward, with the exception of a stubborn exhaust bolt. When reassembling, you need to re-adjust the valves - but that's pretty easy. Just go slow, and check your work at each step!
My Briggs & Stratton engine is a 31C707 and I bought the gasket kit, Part number 690190, on ebay for about $12 USD (which included shipping) - not bad! These engines are quite common, so finding parts should be fairly easy.

[@butterbean0364]

Thanks you so much for taking the time creating an easy to understand how-to video! You’re a life saver!

[@ificanfixitsocanyou]

Glad it helped!

[@bobsoft]

Keep an eye on the exhaust valve on that engine. I had rebuilt my fathers 18HP Briggs on a LT1000 with new rings, piston, head gasket...etc. The next year it dropped an exhaust valve seat. The valve guide moved in the head limiting the valve movement and causing it to drop a seat. Had to peen the seat back in the head and weld the valve guide thru the exhaust port to prevent it from moving ever again.

[@bobsoft]

Oh forgot to mention a mod to the steering. Add Thrust Needle Roller Bearings to the front axle and it will turn like it has power steering and it will also cause less wear on those plastic bushings.

[@ificanfixitsocanyou]

Ooh, I'll have to take a look into that. Thanks for the tip!

[@philliphall5198]

AllWAYS the same place every time
OEM gaskets are really the best but I’ve used eBay gaskets and there still running ok

[@philliphall5198]

The truth is most folks are just too lazy to fix them and never service anything period
Sickening seeing such useless people who complain about what we do and make it happen
Great video and I enjoyed watching

[@ificanfixitsocanyou]

Thanks! This mower was free and it's been running very well now that I've been fixing it up. It's very satisfying to take someone's "worthless junk" and bring it back to life!

[@clarencejackson5284]

Good job

[@ottloblundly8]

Looks like you put the exhaust gasket on the intake. Good job though

[@sammyprestwood3182]

You don't have to remove the screws that hold the fly wheel screen. On to replace the head gasket.

[@snkboarder]

Where can you find a repair manual? The ones that come with the engine don't have the head bolt tightening sequence.

[@ificanfixitsocanyou]

My manual didn't have the bolt pattern so I just made up my own "star" pattern starting with one of the bolts - just like you would when changing a tire. And now I can't recall where I found the torque spec as it's not listed in my manual. I figure that it's ok to just get close enough - it's a mower, not the space shuttle. :D Good luck with your repairs!

[@snkboarder]

@@ificanfixitsocanyou Thanks. I'm doing this on a 2013 21HP YT3000, but everything looks pretty much the same. No point redesigning the wheel. It burned half a quart of oil just to mow a couple acres. Ridiculous.

[@philliphall5198]

Internet has all the specs and information free

[@snkboarder]

@@philliphall5198 Hmmm. Almost like I'm already on the internet seeking information and wondering what sources people had found. Thanks for the least helpful comment of all time.

[@barrygrant2907]

Should have pulled the rocker arms and push rods before pulling the head. No doubt the valves were due an adjustment anyhow--recommended annually.

[@ificanfixitsocanyou]

Ooh - the valve adjustment is recommended annually? I didn't realize that! I think I might be good for the rest of this fall season and then it's time for maintenance! Love this mower!

[@barrygrant2907]

@@ificanfixitsocanyou Don't feel bad. I was working on my 2005 Murray mower last weekend and just find that in the recommended maintenance schedule. I'm only 18 years behind!

[@philliphall5198]

Carbon from the fuel is causing lots of problems and damage to all air cooled engines
People just don’t understand and don’t listen to the mechanic warning them

[@bobsoft]

Huh? Carbon happens on any engine even water cooled. Fact of life when you burn fossil fuels no matter the maintenance schedule you follow.

[@barrygrant2907]

The bigger problem is ethanol. Use only alcohol-free gas in small engines.