Craigslist, $20, Boy oh boy oh boy!

[cfellows]

Scored this little Briggs & Stratton 5S engine on Craigslist today. Doubt this is the original paint job, but it looks really nice, has good compression and no dents dings or breaks in any of the castings.

Didn't have any spark, so I took it apart and found that the points weren't opening. Simple adjustment to .020", as stated on the engine tag, put it back together and behold, it has a spark. Now I need to get some oil and gasoline and give her a spin. Can't see why it wouldn't run.

Did mention that it came mounted on a nice lawn edger with a complete, spare edger as well (no engine on the second edger)? By the way, there is a stamping on the inside of the crankcase that says 12-30-54. I assume that's the date of manufacture.

Chuck

 

[n4zou]

I have that same engine that was bolted to an old reel type mower. It also was sparkless. I found the key between the flywheel and crankshaft had sheered off. I replaced the points and condenser while I had the flywheel off of it. I also had to loosen up the air flow type governor vane and put a new spring on it. It's amazing how well that style governor works.

 

[ShedBoy]

Great score Chuck. When I get an old motor with points in it I change them to electronic ignition with a tiny module which is used in place of the points and condenser. If you can get bynorm parts in the USA it is part number 340-040 it is on page 268 of this catalogue
http://emags.newlitho.com.au/?bynorm/new-products/may2012

I have successfully used these in mowers, motorcycles, outboards etc as long as there are coils which supply the points they seem to work. Big fat spark too. I think I paid about $15 for the last unit I bought.

Are you planning to restore it? It looks like it has not done much.

Brock

 

[cfellows]

Great score Chuck. When I get an old motor with points in it I change them to electronic ignition with a tiny module which is used in place of the points and condenser. If you can get bynorm parts in the USA it is part number 340-040 it is on page 268 of this catalogue
http://emags.newlitho.com.au/?bynorm/new-products/may2012

I have successfully used these in mowers, motorcycles, outboards etc as long as there are coils which supply the points they seem to work. Big fat spark too. I think I paid about $15 for the last unit I bought.

Are you planning to restore it? It looks like it has not done much.

Brock

Thanks, Brock. Don't think it's going to require any restoring. I'll leave it on the edger for now. I do have some sidewalks and driveway to edge around. The guy advertising just said Briggs & Stratton engine for sale, didn't mention the edgers. I was going to buy it to basically start it up and listen to it. I guess I can still do that while I'm edging the sidewalk... :

Chuck

 

[steamer]

Nice score Chuck!

Dave