mar10 wrote:
Have a 3 year old Craftsman 25hp Kohler engine riding mower. My dad
ran it dry on oil - didn't notice that the oil filter came loose
and ran it without oil till it died (unfortunately he has vision
problems and was unable to notice this)

Anyways- Sears has diagnosed that the engine seized and wants $2200
to fix - for $100 more I can get a brand new mower.

Has anyone run into this or have thoughts as to if this could be done
more reasonably by a small engine repair guy? Or do I bite the bullet
and buy new?

Jeez, you can get the old Chevy rebuilt for that. Talk to small engine
places out in the country that need business. Or, look into buying a
"short block" (no carb, starter, ...) and put that in yourself. It's
not hard.