Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Head gasket, head gasket replacement, briggs and stratton

Question
Hi
I have a 17 hp Briggs and stratton motor on a mtd mower
and i think the head gasket is blown it has a small oil leak on the right head as your setting on the mower. It runs but under load it just dies out.
Is this easy to fix, do i have to adjust the valves to replace or is it just a take off and back on

Thanks
Sam Albaugh

Answer
Head Gasket replacement is easy.  Remove the spark plug wire and plug.  Remove the head bolts.  Remove the head.  Clean all of the old gasket material.  Install new head gasket. Install head bolts finger tight.  Then torque bolts in a X pattern.  Meaning tighten the top right then the bottom left then the top left then the right bottom, etc.  Check with the dealer where you purchase the head gasket what the torque is.