i have a 308-8 that threw a rod years ago,way before i had a computer so a replacement was near1800 back then,i didnt know about buying a block,but the crank was toast too,cam shaft,every thing so my local shop said buy a whole engine,well that was way too much and in my opinion 8 hp is too small for my needs,the orig motor only lasted 10 years and i maintained it all the way,i have greased it every oil change and it shows,all the joints are good,deck spindles sre mint too,anyway i put a 13 hp honda in 1996,and loved it since,(im a true kohler guy though,if i could have any engine given to me it would be the k or magnum 16hp)im now on my second honda,i didnt tighten the air filter once and alot of dust got in and from there she went down hill,when i joined the square it got me back into my horse and i got another honda for it,its my mutt and it was my first from new,and it will be the last to leave,which will be never