Just wanted to post an update about the JS20s. They both run great, used the second one on Wednesday. My craftsman FWD has the same exact engine as these two and when I change the oil for the first time I will be switching to mobil 1 5w-30. For the JS20s I will also buying the ninja blades. I went back to Lowes on Thursday, they didn't have any mowers left.

1) You will have to confirm that the cable is actually moving the lever on the transmission. If it does, likely the issue is internal. 2)It is really common on these for the adjustment to slip. Watch the choke shaft or note its position with your finger as you position the cable.

Thank you so much for the warning, even 10 yrs later it's still advertised steel sleeve. I wondered as I'm looking to buy a new engine to set back for future replacement since new throwaway designs (never change oil) are so terrible. Not sure how briggs durability in the future is but I know their past and getting one while I can. Its for my 1996 Snapper self propelled mower, I saw the 875 JD engine sold alone online. I knew B/S site says the 875 is just aluminum bore & the 850 is sleeved but I thought JD ordered them special maybe? This is not the case as I suspected and how I found these posts. Oh well' now I learned at least a few things on my project. 1} Snapper disc drive self propels outlast 3+ engines easy. My lawncare friends snapper SP deck outlasted (2 Briggs,1 Honda so far). 2} JD really are a bunch of liars. 3} The 850 Pro is the real Briggs Pro engine under Vanguard. To anyone who thinks steel sleeves are not needed in Aluminum engines try telling this to GM...Mention them saving a few bucks producing the Vega , as that is why it's engine failed at 30k on average. Sleeved aluminum engines are in almost every car today, my old Toyota had 420k when I sold it 5 years ago, still see it around town. One truck near me here, Google this: Clyde glides to a million. Thanks again!!

The diagrams on this site will help you if you have parts missing. http://jdpc.deere.com/jdpc/servlet/com.deere.u90490.partscatalog.view.servlets.HomePageServlet_Alt