How difficult is it to change the head gasget on a 17 HP briggs ans stratton engine for an amateur.

How difficult is it to change a head gasket on a 17 hp BRIGGS AND STRATTON ENGINE

FOR AN AMETEUR.

Hi,
It is not particularly difficult. I loosen the bolts 1/4 turn each at first to keep the head flat. Once completely loose, I simply remove them each. I scrape the surfaces with a single-edge razor blade held at a 90 degree angle to remove any remnants of the old gasket. The new gasket probably torques at 165-185 in. lb. and should be torqued in a criss-cross pattern in three incrents of a third of the value.
I gather this is an OHV engine, probably an Intek.
Peace,
Clarke