Here so far none of the engines I get out the Briggs warehouse have oil in them other a small amount of assembly oil. It is intentional as the EPA regs require these to shipped without oil in case of an accident during shipping. It is the dealer or end purchaser duty to ensure the engine is properly filled with oil.
I just got in a brand new Briggs engine and I can bet my ears and I like them a lot on it not having oil in other than assembly oil.
Now this not having oil makes sense to me as I know shippers like UPS will toss around these engines as they end up upside down at times. If engine was full of oil it would end filling the cylinder or be running out the crankcase vent system.
