Recent content by slowleak

I think what happened is what was a 'Garden Tractor' in the past now is called a Sub compact, with the lowest in that category being the JD X500 which starts around $10k. I was talking to a guy who has owned a Mahindra, which is smaller than the X500, for about 12 years, he loves it, it is...

A guy at the local Ford dealer said they've had counterfeits plugs show up through dealer parts channels, somewhere along the line the fakes have infiltrated the OEM part s supply as well. Anything you buy on Amazon is suspect, and the same goes for the box store items. I grabbed a CJ8 Champion...

I worked in a small engine shop in the 80's for a few years, we were an autoparts store that had a machine shop and a Kohler/Briggs/Honda dealer at the time. We had various pieces of equipment to handle small engines, it all depended on the size and material being bored. On the larger iron...

Around here its mostly push mowers, with the occasional cheap rider or box store JD or Troy bilt. I find it odd that I found so many all at once, including two new on the shelf. Usually its the opposite problem where the coil is grounding out by a bad switch or rubbed through wire. The I...

Lately I'm running across a rash of 3.5hp (such as on a 93502 engine) that are rusted away. I've picked at least two dozen of them lately with springs that crumbled in my hand. B&S wants $7 per plus $10 shipping, that's not doable on a push mower that will maybe bring $25 to $50 running. Is...

The SV540 in those was known for cracked engine blocks. From what I've seen and what I've read over the years the Courage series was problematic. I think I'd be looking at cutting my losses with that engine and maybe retrofit an older Command engine or anything you wish that will fit. A good...

The only points I've been using are OEM BS points. I had some Arnold brand points and those were never an issue, likely just repackaged OEM parts, Most of those I have are older than 15 years old on the shelf. I bought all the BS small parts when one local shop closed, I was mainly after the...

Not all flywheels work well with the electronic conversions. I'm finding that some mid to late 70's BS flywheels won't trigger the Magnetron coils or conversion kit. (I've never had one not work on an Easy Spin style motor though). I've got several '76-'79 vertical pull, gear tooth type...

I put brand new points and condenser in two of my mowers two weeks ago, both were new in the box B&S parts, new plunger, a new top engine seal on the one, and cleaned with a bit of cotton shirt soaked in Electomotive cleaner. The engine ran fine, started right it, bright blue spark. The next...

I've been around small engines all my life, back in the 70's when everything still had ignition points, we rarely had to mess with them. It seemed like they were a set 'em and forget 'em thing. Now, if I put new a new set of points, & a condenser in a mower, a week or two later they need to be...

If its only acting up in one direction than its not usually a belt issue. Sometimes guys will over adjust the shift lever to make it go a little faster and doing so can sacrifice some reverse pressure. I'd make sure the shift lever is properly centered as described in the manual on page 24 and...

I'd have to do some digging but somewhere I've got the original manual that came with my dad's old 1967 3hp Briggs & Stratton powered push mower. It explicity says "USE ONLY NON-DETERGENT MOTOR OIL" then gives a chart showing what oil to use in a particular temperature range. It shows SAE 20ND...

Unless that machine is worth the bucks your best bet is to just fine a parts machine with a v twin. I'm fairly certain the flywheel from the higher hp motors will work, at best you swap the stator as well. I had a Vanguard 16 that needed a ring gear and couldn't find the parts, they wanted $500...

I can't speak for the newer models but on my 7116, I can swap between the larger 48" deck and the 44" it came with with no issues. It will depend on the mounting style and pulley location on both decks. On the older models the deck trailed off the front axle, and hung from two brackets at the...

There are two things to consider when it comes to oil, first is if it doesn't have an oil filter or pump, then you need to run a non-detergent oil. Most automotive oils are multi-weight. (5W-20, 10W-30, etc) most non-detergent oils are straight weight oils. (20W, 30W and so on) In an engine...