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NotTaR of small Gasoline Engines and Rotary Lawn Mowers : Comments on Briggs and Stratton repair  
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Comments on Briggs and Stratton repair

The following was in response to a posting on alt.home.repair about a 12 year old lawn mower. Of course, if properly maintained, such an engine may still have quite a bit of life left in it :-).

(From: foxeye (foxeye@www.mindspring.com).)

The best method is if you do not have a flywheel puller is take it to the nearest Briggs dealer and have them remove it. Since you do have a puller, just put some tension on the flywheel with the puller you already have, and then hit the top of the puller (the threaded shaft that centers on the crankshaft end) with a heavy hammer (16 to 24 oz.) should do it. Sometimes all it takes is a sharp blow with tension exerted on the flywheel to break it free. One or 2 raps should be enough. If it fails at that, there are still other ways to remove it.

Some have points and condenser some do not. There is a points/condenser replacement kit that makes it solid state available for less than $10.00 called Atomic Ignition. Also rust on the magnet of the flywheel and the ignition coil laminated portion can also cause it to have no spark. The measurement is critical for the ignition coil to flywheel space (called air gap) for proper ignition as well. Unless very badly corroded and worn, the points can usually be cleaned up and readjusted. Its not uncommon for the little fiber plunger that operates the points on some models to get stuck.

You should pick up a manual, for proper dimensions, and bolt torque. Even though it may list special tools for some repairs, there is usually a work-around in most cases. I would not really spend to much money on this motor, as the age is against it, but a new one from a source like Northern Hydraulics can be had for $99 to maybe 125.00. I picked up a 5hp highwheel lawn mower with a Briggs I/C motor at the end of last summer at a local builders supply and garden center for $130.00 new in the box.