OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Briggs & Stratton Engines Cleaning Briggs Egg-Shaped Muffler

This post relates to mainly B&S part #493288 (new).

For those of you who have ever wondered if you could take apart and clean this (old) type of muffler...well, you can. Whether you want to is another story. The only tool I used was a pliers wrench, to carefully curl up the rolled edge (bit by bit). The rolled edge clamps all three pieces together. There didn't appear to be any sealant between the edges and it all came apart quite easy actually. Here is what it looks like on the inside...yikes!!! Should be a simple matter of crimping the edge flat once your done. However, I am not sure how many times you could do this comfortably.

The only reason I attempted this was because I am considering putting back together an engine that is in pieces. I don't wish to spend too much money buying new parts (including a new muffler) because I have already spent a reasonable amount of time and money repairing another similar (old Briggs) engine and that one is working really well. However, I know this one works; although it was really hard to start and smoked a lot. So, it is worthwhile for me to clean and reassemble it.