A buddy brought over his Briggs Power Bilt OHV powered Craftsman snowthrower due to not starting.

A quick pull of the starter rope told me that there was little compression, and I could hear a leak near the cylinder head. I removed the head, and the gasket was literally burned through in two places.

I ran the numbers (12S432 0036-F8) and found an IPL on the B&S site, OEM head gasket is 698210. I had a 791716 in the B&S box, the fit is exact, including the bore. The surface of the gasket is raised, should this face the head?

As far as burning through gaskets, I suspect a lean condition, as I didn't see a mouse house or other debris.