the briggs recoils are only more reliable if you keep the clutch and crankshaft clean, it really helps to lubricate the ball bearings with motor oil, never grease, if grease is used the ball bearings will get stuck and the starter will not catch. sometimes the clutches seize to the crankshaft and they scream/squeal, making the neighbors think your crazy. they are extremely reliable if you keep up on the clutch maintenance

 

I'm noticing overall the Briggs 8HP vs Tecumseh 8HP, the Briggs is generally easier starting, and the carbs are more resistant to getting plugged up, they can tolerate a certain amount of debris in the fuel and still run. The Tec. carbs can't tolerate hardly any fine debris or old fuel without acting up. The passages must be smaller or have more bends in them, or ? Often times I can clear a Briggs carb just by removing the main jet needle, letting fuel run out of it, and the engine is just fine for another season. With the Tec. engines, the bowl and idle mix screw must be removed, and carb cleaner shot through it to clear it. Sometimes repeatedly in the same season. They can be finicky, then again my machines are stored outside. If I had to choose one to be stranded with, it would be a Briggs powered machine. I also noticed the Briggs is easier to pull start, the actual effort required to extend the starter cord. The Briggs engines I have never broke a pull cord yet. This makes me believe that the Tec. engines have a little more compression, and more radical cams, than the Briggs. So they are a little harder to pull start.