Mowers

B&S Over Head Valve engines require periodic valve adjustment. Starter "stall" is most likely from excessive valve lash. First check battery voltage is >12.5 VDC and charge if necessary. If still starter stall, check and adjust valve clearance.

valve clearance should be .010 " inlet hot and .012 exhaust hot
that is .254mm and .304 mm
valve clearance has nothing to do with hard turning over of the engine
if it turns by hand then fix the starter motor , battery leads or battery
the biggest problem with B&S motors is the valve stems which from new tend to stretch reducing the valve clearance when hot thereby making hot starts difficult if not impossible until the motor cooled down

Michael, if the briggs is overhead valves, it may need valve adjusted so engine will turn easier. Check the attached links,instruction and guides, Good luck
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http://hubpages.com/living/Hard-to-start-Briggs-and-Stratton-engine
HOW TO ADJUST VALVES FIX HARD TO START Lawn Tractor with OHV Briggs Engine...
YTD 3000 Craftsman lawn tractor will not turn over ShopYourWay

It sounds like your valves are out of adjustment. Your starter will bog down if it is out of adjustment and stop at the compression release.
So just take your valve covers off and set your valve lash to
.006 intake
.008 exhaust

A head gasket will not greatly increase the compression in a a Briggs motor.

My question is Why did it need a head gasket to begin with?
Will bet it was not running...

A more likely cause if not a fuel problem is to check engine oil if that is good remove the wire from the low oil sensor and see it it will start up for you.

r/
David