Review on 591378 Carburetor For Briggs & Stratton 10HP 305 - Fits 5000 5550 6200 8550 Models by Patrick Matin

I have a 2013 Ariens Deluxe 30" snowblower with the Polar Force Briggs & Stratton engine, which calls for replacement part number 591378 for the carburetor assembly. After finding this aftermarket replacement for about 25% the cost of a genuine Briggs & Stratton carb, I figured it was worth a shot. After reading several reviews and taking a quick glance at the pictures, I thought it would be a direct, OEM quality part. To some degree, it's my fault for not looking more closely, and I took for granted that the matching part numbers would indicate that it would be the exact same thing. Nope! So many important little details were completely wrong.1. The length of the black choke/throttle position shaft is about 1.5 inches too short. Once everything is reassembled, the shaft sits below the threshold of the gray plastic cover, making it impossible to try to reattach the red knob (pictured).2. Because my original knob wasn't going to work, i figured I'd use the supplied black knob. However, the problem with this is the choke shaft is shaped like a "+" whereas the replacement knob is flat "-". I had to modify the replacement knob by carefully using a hack saw (dremel would work, etc.) to cut across the center of the new knob to create my own "+" shaped end. (see pics for close ups)3. After test fitting the newly modified knob, I found that it would not turn all the way to the choke or run positions after i put the Ariens gray plastic cover back on. It turns out that there is a little arm protruding off the choke shaft, which was pried up against the inside of my cover. So I had to use my hacksaw again and cut this arm off. (see pic)4. My Ariens has a primer bulb, which is used to force a little fuel into the carb for cold start-ups. A fun little surprise here is that this HOOAI carb does not have the barb fitting installed. Thus I had no way of connecting my primer to the carb and had to leave it disconnected. (see pic).5. Lastly, when i thought all my problems were behind me, I tried to insert the throttle rod and spring that is supposed to fit in the hole on the top of the carb, where there is a small black swivel clip. the diameter of the hole on the new swivel clip is too small, and the throttle rod would not fit through. Fortunately, I was able to (very) gently pry the clip off my original carb, and swap it in place of the aftermarket one. Incidentally the new clip broke when i removed it, so i got lucky my original fit perfectly and I could reinsert the throttle rod. (see pic)Finally after working out all the snags noted above, I was happy to find that even without a primer button, I was able to get my snowblower to start right up on the second pull (choke on, throttle set to rabbit speed). The bottom line here is that you get what you pay for. If you are handy and can manage through correcting all the little (but important) details, this carb will work as a functional replacement. My time is worth more than what I saved by buying this cheaper part. If a friend were to ask me - I'd advise him/her to pony up and spend the $100 on the B&S carburetor and save themselves a headache.