Ever hear of a Briggs DOV engine?

[GAJoe 852]

I bought a Snapper RER a few weeks ago that I got refurbished and running good. Included with the RER was a 21" self propelled. It wasn't running but would turn over. I added some needed oil, checked for spark, and confirmed that it would fire with a little starting fluid. I was able to pull the carb off and clear a couple jets that were plugged and got it running. The carb is the original Nikki built like a Walbro. A rebuild kit is $40 and it needs a new breather tube, so we're talking over $50 to get it running good. Before spending that much on it I wanted to make sure that it is worth rebuilding. It's not a flat-head that I'm used to working on but a "DOV" that I've never heard of before. I found a couple comments on forums that were happy with them shortly after buying them but nothing to tell me that they are a solid design that is worth putting money into. I only found one YouTube that wasn't a B&S promo that was of someone going through one and taking it apart with comments as he went. But he's German so I don't know if he's praising the design or telling what a bad design it is. I'll attach both a B&S demo and his video . Hopefully someone can tell me what he was saying, LOL.

If you haven't seen one, but know someone that has, let me know what they think of it if you don't mind. 

Do you think that the reason that they aren't popular was because they turned out to be junk ? or B&S went on to produce the OHV engines?

 

Have a great day!

Joe

 

B&S:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM1ax4MzCA0&t=20s

 

German:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjLggFX8Njg&t=567s

 

Edited Monday at 03:30 PM by GAJoe
grammer

[WHX?? 51,272]

Pics Joe? 

Any numbers on it?

That would be their Direct Overhead Valve engine.

I don't have any experience with them but it's likely it's gonna have a pee pot full of plastic innards. Also might have a aluminum bore. That right there means a throw away. 

How well it was taken care of factors in. 

If you have it running I would just do fresh oil change and run some sea foam through it. 

[GAJoe 852]

Thanks

I'd like to hear from someone that's worked on some over the years; if there is anyone.

Edited Monday at 07:15 PM by GAJoe

[Handy Don 13,559]

@Tractorhead  Might be able to help with an overview of the German version!

[GAJoe 852]

7 hours ago, Handy Don said:

@Tractorhead  Might be able to help with an overview of the German version!

I found how to do closed caption with translation to English. He likes it better than Honda. I got the valves adjusted. And I'm getting a new breather tube and the rebuild kit for the carb. When you have it open to adjust valves you can see the crank and plastic cam lobe. It's easy to see TDC. The main key way on the shaft just so happens to be pointed forward at TDC. Funny, he said to go past TDC until the piston is .25"past TDC. They knew better than changing that. LOL

[Tractorhead 9,131]

Basically It is a reliable Engine - better than the Honda small Engines.

the only weakpoint on this Engine i knew and heard often about was the Piston.

The piston itself is very short and will lurking gently into the Engineblock on lower dead end, 

what can cause a tilting of the Piston when the Engine was not regulary maintained.

( Oilchange here is urgently recommended each year)

 

 

On the flat Steeltounge aside the throttle where the spring in clamped it can be adjusted with an external rpm meter.

between 2800 and 3300 rpm it can be adjusted.

This Engines be not bad at all and last with regular Service long time.

i would prefer it Compared to an Self size Honda Engine which have an in oil running Belt for valve steering.

 

They be not built for acres to mow, but for a normal Lawn 600-1000 squaremeters the be reliable enough,

that a few buckets for rework the Carb.

please if you try to set the Idle rpm, get an external rpm meter and adjust it between 2950 - 3000 rpm .

that is the best rpm that type of Engine be fine with.

 

On the Outlet there is a Thermal Feeder for the choke.

don‘t move it with force, otherwise it become disadjusted and to readjust is another thing.

 

btw.  a small Petrol Filter ( gaze) like some chainsaws have in wasn‘t a waste of Money!

in my smal Lawn Mower for front and Backyard i have this Engine inside and with gently Service it is thankfully runner !

 

 

[GAJoe 852]

2 hours ago, Tractorhead said:

Basically It is a reliable Engine - better than the Honda small Engines.

the only weakpoint on this Engine i knew and heard often about was the Piston.

The piston itself is very short and will lurking gently into the Engineblock on lower dead end, 

what can cause a tilting of the Piston when the Engine was not regulary maintained.

( Oilchange here is urgently recommended each year)

 

 

On the flat Steeltounge aside the throttle where the spring in clamped it can be adjusted with an external rpm meter.

between 2800 and 3300 rpm it can be adjusted.

This Engines be not bad at all and last with regular Service long time.

i would prefer it Compared to an Self size Honda Engine which have an in oil running Belt for valve steering.

 

They be not built for acres to mow, but for a normal Lawn 600-1000 squaremeters the be reliable enough,

that a few buckets for rework the Carb.

please if you try to set the Idle rpm, get an external rpm meter and adjust it between 2950 - 3000 rpm .

that is the best rpm that type of Engine be fine with.

 

On the Outlet there is a Thermal Feeder for the choke.

don‘t move it with force, otherwise it become disadjusted and to readjust is another thing.

 

btw.  a small Petrol Filter ( gaze) like some chainsaws have in wasn‘t a waste of Money!

in my smal Lawn Mower for front and Backyard i have this Engine inside and with gently Service it is thankfully runner !

 

 

Thanks for the translation!

[RED-Z06 2,525]

I remember when these came out, they sent a packet with the Briggs annual dealer technician update course, about them..it was new tech using the single lobe cam and long push fingers.  I saw 1 in person, it ran okay, just changed the oil and air filter on it, it was a transitioning time with Briggs...the Flathead was done, the new small Inteks had been out a while but were too expensive, the EX ohv 3.5-4.5hp engines were not in production...but came out shortly after the DOV did..and that was the end of those engines in America for the most part.