Keeping your Briggs and Stratton engine running well

Hi Gang! Well, here Iam again, giving you guys some insight on your Briggs and Stratton engine!
First off there are basically two types of engines, a Horizontal shaft and a vertical shaft. The vertical shaft engines are really no good for go-larts or mini-bikes, and are simply good engines for mowers or post hole augers!
Now then, I'll try to explain the Briggs engines in simple terms so everyone can understand them. One thing is, they are four cycle engines. That means you DO NOT mix the oil with the gasoline. Some engines you do, and they are called two cycle or two stroke motors.
On a four cycle engine you put raw gas into the gas tank and you put motor oil into the crankcase. Usually a good SAE 30 or 10-40W will work fine.
Just your regular gas will work fine, no need to try and get gas mileage here!
Most briggs and Stratton engines have only one cylinder to worry about,however, the larger industrial type engines can have two.
For a mini-bike or go-kart,or even a generator, there is usually just one.
This is great news! It makes it much simpler! You only have one spark plug, one piston, one set of valves,etc. A lot less to go wrong!
Now,I'm going to explain what four cycle means. Intake,gepression,power,exhaust! That's it! That wasn't so hard was it? Let's go further now. Intake means the intake valve opens and because the piston is traveling downward (Stroke 1) wth a tight seal in the cylinder, it causes a vacuum which draws a fuel/air mixture into the cyclinder. Upon upward stroke (Stroke 2) of the piston, both valves are closed with an air tight seal. This is called the gepression stroke because it causes the fuel/air mixture to be tightly squeezed or gepressed in the gebustion chamber.Now then the power stroke is the funnest of all. With both valves closed the spark plug ignites and the fuel is exploded powering your engine. (Stroke 3).The last stroke the exhaust stroke, pushes the spent gases upwards and out your engine because the exhaust valve has opened to let the exhaust gases out.(Stroke 4)Presto! Smog!
In California, there is actual litigation trying to eliminate gas lawn mower engines from use! Can you believe that? Why, it seems un-American to me! The nerve of some people! Well, it may be the signs of the times. California is leading the way for emissions controls,toxic poisions, and cancer causing PCB's. What can we do?
Next, I want to speak to you about cleanliness. As with all engines, dirt is enemy no.1. It has been proven by scinetists and the like, that engines that get dirt in them wear out faster. Sooooo.. Keep your engine clean,strain your fuel into your gas tank, and every now and then it wouldn't hurt to remove your air cleaner and clean your carb out with carb cleaner. Change your oil regularly. Change your spark plug or clean it with a wire welder's brush.
Most of today's Briggs and Stratton engines have solid state ignition. No points. No need to do anything here. In the old days or if you get a hold of an older model that may have ignition points, check them, clean them or discard them. You can buy the newer solid state CDI (capacitor discharge ignition) and they are a bolt on modification for your older Briggs and Stratton engine. See instructions that gee with the ignition kit for details.
Last word is SAFETY. As with this or any machinery, USE CAUTION. This engine spins at 4500 rpms at full throttle. It can take off a limb or cut your face or body if hooked up to a mower. Do not work on your Briggs with loose clothing or ties. Remove all jewelry. Keep hands and feet from spinning cutting blades. Have someone with you or nearby to call for help if need be. DO NOT SMOKE around fuel or flammable liquids.DO NOT EAT FOOD while handling fuel or flammable liquids. These are poison! As with anything, do NOT use drugs or alcohol when operating your briggs engine. You shouldn't use drugs ever, anyways.
O.k. Gangthat's about it! Enjoy yourselves,have fun, and above all, BE SAFE!