Finally got the 5 hp B&S "L" engine to my Giant-Vac leaf blower
running well, again. Thanks to everyone here for all the tips and
suggestions. The problem with the engine was it hard to start and I
had to keep the choke on for 15-20 minutes to keep the engine running
until it fully warmed up.

I checked and replaced a lot of stuff in/on the carb with no
improvement. I finally got a lead on the problem when I connected a
leak down tester to the engine and heard a leak through the exhaust
port. I ordered new intake and exhaust valves and proceeded to try to
get the engine running by lapping-in the old valves. When I checked
the valves stem clearance to the tappets, both valves were resting
directly on the tappets. I ground the ends of both old valves and
tried to lap them in, but they both continued to have compression
leaks. As a result, I installed new valves along with a new header
gasket after truing the engine head.

One pull, and the engine started. I've been running the engine now
for about a week and it continues to run fine. The only thing I wish
I had done to do a 100% repair was to re-cut the valve seats. I don't
have the tools for that, but hope to find a good reasonably priced set
to add to the tool chest.

Again, thanks for all the help and guidance.

Manjo