Briggs 23A oil capacity inquiry

[sgull]

The specs for my (recently acquired) Briggs model 23A say oil capacity is 4 pints. But when I drained the old oil only 3 1/2 pints drained out. I figured okay must've been low a half pint. Then when I refilled with fresh oil it took only 3 1/2 pints before it filled to right up to top of the oil filler cap opening. I figured okay then maybe not all the old oil drained out completely the first time, maybe because I should've tilted the engine a little to get all the old oil to drain. So I tilted the engine a little next time and drained the oil again. Again, only 3 1/2 pints drained. It seems then that the capacity is 3 1/2 pints (or just very slightly over), but that conflicts with the stated 4 pint capacity in the published specs for the engine. I suppose there is of course some residual oil coating the inner parts, but not a whole 1/2 pint? Any comments/explanations appreciated.

[bgsengine]

Depends on the oil pan configuration sometimes - as a general rule of thumb we'd want to see them with oil level up to the bottom of the pan gasket surface of the oil pan - Some oil filler configurations, were built with the oil filler hole below that level, with the intent that an extension could be threaded in to accept a dipstick - so if you fill it so that oil level is up to just below the gasket surface (a full oil pan) , would it overflow? - That may be the reason.. if the original filler tube or dipstick was removed or replaced with something else. Other than that - they may have built some with a shallower oil pan to adjust for crank height of the installation.

[sgull]

Hmm, okay well all I know is my specific model is the 23A-FB and I followed the instructions just as in the documentation. If I try to fill with any more than more than 3 1/2 pints it will overflow out of the filler hole, with the engine level. The situation looks identical to that shown in the documentation (as copied here):

[bobodu]

Was Tom Brady anywhere near your engine?

[sgull]

Was Tom Brady anywhere near your engine?

[HondaG100]

Was Tom Brady anywhere near your engine?

Did you find that your engine was easier to pick up and carry when slightly under filled with oil?

[okie]

Was Tom Brady anywhere near your engine?

Travis

[bobodu]