[craftsmanmowerfreak]

i always like the flathead briggs myself. but it is getting harder to find them now a days. i picked up a 14.5 ohv today from scrapyard. will get it running tomorrow. i just wanted to see what everyone thinks. i mean i seen both types of engines last but ohv tend to blow head gaskets.

 

[JMoe]

I prefer OHV for anything around 8hp and above. They burn less fuel and seem to give you more power.

 

[Oo-v-oO]

From what I've seen the OHV Briggs are a lot more problematic than the flathead Briggs - so make mine a flathead.

The old flatheads are pretty much indestructable, so long as you keep oil in them and an air filter on the carb.

 

[Onan18]

Flathead all the way! But, then again, I am an old hot rodder (figuratively speaking at least) so maybe it is just a bleed over from my love affair with the Flathead Ford V8.

Joe

 

[Tractor-Holic]

I've yet to own one OHV Briggs,so I cant say....I do think OHV gives more power and better fuel economy--longevity??...I'd say they are more prone to failures,judging by the number of posts I read here about blown head gaskets,push rod failures,etc...

I have several Briggs flatheads from the 50's and 60's that seem indestructible...they might smoke,tick and gobble gas like crazy,but they are very reliable!..

 

[bobotech]

I have never had anything with a Briggs OHV so I guess I have to go with the flathead Briggs. I do have a toro mower that I bought at Lowes about 4 years ago with the Honda OHV engine on it and has started up without failure except for one year when I left bad gas in it. Other than that, one pull and vroom. But that is a Honda.

Never had a Vanguard or Intek or whatever they call the new fangled engines.

 

[larrybl]

Only the Brigs Flat Head Twins here, Still going strong..... I figure after another 20 years I might have to go with a OHV, if they are still available... More than likely a Flux Capasiter and Mister Fusion setup will be more likely. :thThumbsU

 

[Justin Helterbrand]

Flat Heads. Ive onlly had a couple ohv engines and didnt like them for some reason. Even tho the flatheads burn more gas id choose them anyday.

 

[dodge trucker]

I've yet to own one OHV Briggs,so I cant say....I do think OHV gives more power and better fuel economy--longevity??...I'd say they are more prone to failures,judging by the number of posts I read here about blown head gaskets,push rod failures,etc...

I have several Briggs flatheads from the 50's and 60's that seem indestructible...they might smoke,tick and gobble gas like crazy,but they are very reliable!..

:thThumbsU:ditto::ditto: though if I have the choice for the application at hand, make mine a cast iron Kohler....

 

[scrat2]

Flatheads rule! Singles or twins, it doesn't matter to me. I've owned a couple OHV's in the past and I thought they rattled too much. Not very torquey either, in my opinion.

 

[Kbeitz]

Flathead...