Recently swapped a Kawasaki fr691v engine for a Briggs and Stratton 44s977. The B&S is new but doesn't "sound/feel" like its as powerful even though it has slightly more horsepower. The Kawasaki has a separate throttle and choke cable. The B/S only has a throttle cable. I push it all the way forward to choke and start and then back it off to about 3/4 for full power. However even at this setting it doesn't feel/sound as strong as the Kawasaki did. I can manually pull down the governor linkage and the engine reves higher. I'm wondering if the govner isn't set properly or if that the B/S engine is just a more efficient engine. Thoughts?
 
Chris

Look and make sure the choke is opening fully when your at full throttle.
 
You can also put a tach on/ near the spark plug and check for 3,600 RPMs (Max, loaded running RPM's)
 
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The choke if fully open when it reaches operating temperature - it's all the way up.  However the arm attached to the governor can still be moved reving the engine.  

The arm to the governor (movement) is as it should be. 
 
As RPMs drop, governor raises the RPMs-
 
Likewise, RPMs too high, the governor will lower them..
 
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I agree the governer is working properly, I guess my question is it set properly at full power or should it be increased?

RetiredMarine
I agree the governer is working properly, I guess my question is it set properly at full power or should it be increased?   

 
To know if it's at full power, a tachometer is needed.   You can get an inexpensive one on Flea Bay.
Most engines, max RPM's is 3,600.  Only a tachometer will give you exact full power speed of the engine.
Confirm with your owners manual/ manufacturer, the max RPM's.  
 
And yes, you can adjust the RPMs higher (or lower).  There's (in the larger engines) usually a phillips head screw 
that when turned can raise or lower the speed.  Usually, the TIGHTER the spring tension, the higher the RPM's. 
 
 
**It should be noted, that smaller machines, (some walk behind mowers, 5-7 torque), the US government made manufacturers reduce max RPMs to 3,400..  This is to make the machine "safer" should it hit an object (  ???  ).  The engine itself CAN run at 3,600...
 
 
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https://www.insidetheyard.com/briggs-and-stratton-rpm-chart/ 
 
 
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SRTsFZ6
https://www.insidetheyard.com/briggs-and-stratton-rpm-chart/ 
 
 Ordered a tachometer from Amazon, it reads 2730 rpm.  I don't see anything in the article you posted about a model 44S977 which is what is stamped on my motor.  Thoughts?
 
Chris

I'm seeing 3,300 as max RPMs:
 
https://www.kohler-engine-parts.opeengines.com/briggs-stratton-replacement-engines-briggs-vertical-shaft-engines-c-1100_1143_1224/briggs-stratton-engine-44s9770033g1-25-hp-1-18-724cc-p-52048 
 
So you can adjust the RPMs up a bit W/O issue.
 
 

It seems to be cutting just fine and the lower rpms mean a longer engine life, and I assume if the mower demands more power the governor will deliver. I think I'll run it like this for a while unless others have information that changes my mind. In that event would I increase the rpms by adjusting the governor?