Old Briggs question

[JOB]

I have an old 23 briggs engine. I would guess 1950 or so vintage. At what RPM did they get their max HP. I think this Briggs had ten HP.

Can you still get parts for them. Like a coil. This engine has a different ignition system. There are no magnets in the flywheel. I don't see a set of points or condenser either. There is a small box on the front of the engine which has a button on it to kill the engine. Any educated thoughts on this?

 

[Billy Shafer]

All depends on what you have. Model and serial numbers will help.

 

[Dick L]

That box with the kill button is where the points and condenser live. I am messing with one now that is for my Grand Haven tractor. I cleaned the points and had it running. I am now going to break it back down paint all of the pieces. Ask over on the garden tractor board and someone will link you to a parts place.
Mine is a Briggs Stratton 23 FB 203511

 

[David G]

It either has to have magnets in the flywheel, or battery ignition.

 

[Joe Blackeby]

I got one with a 6-1 gear reduction on it mounted to a log-splitter I built in the late 60's.
Good running, simply briggs, until the coil went out. Found one on the shelf in bum-where, new old stock for TWO hundred $. Put a coil (auto) resistor, and a battery and ran it four hours after charging the battery. I still LOVE it!

 

[60 acre hillside]

The model 23 had an idle speed of 1200. The rated speed is about 3500. It had a 3 inch bore This engine has Magna-Matic ignition. May also have a 2 piece Flo-Jet carburetor. Information from Briggs and Stratton Repair Instructions IV

 

[Loosehandle]

Magna matic is right, the magnets are in a ring clamped to the crankshaft under the flywheel.Coil is under there too,mice nesting on coil is a big problem.... Look around eBay etc.for a new coil,may need to reuse you laminated core.

 

[Dick L]

A link to some magneto type info.
Briggs & Stratton

 

[El Toro]

I have that engine on an old Toro Grassking mower.
Its a 9hp engine and has external points on the block. Here's a picture of the cover over your points. I think an armature is still available.
Hal
PS: I have the P/N somewhere.

 

[El Toro]

Here's that Toro mower with the mod 23 engine. Hal
PS: That's the point cover under the carburetor to your left.

 

[El Toro]

The armature B&S P/N for my Toro mower is 290880.
My engine model is 23AB. Rub those points with some 320 or 400 wet or dry until they're shiny. Make sure they're opening and closing when the engine is rotated. Set them at .020". Your armature may be okay. Pull the sparkplug and lay in on the engine block with the plug wire connected. Then crank over the engine to see there's fire at your plug. Mine has a rope start.
Some of these mowers had a Delco Starter/generator
for starting and charging the battery. Hal

 

[JOB]

The black paint is faded off the plate But the numbers are 23FB 203554 212895

 

[JOB]

This engine was neglected for a long time and mice lived there till they could not stand it any longer. Inside the flywheel shroud was all mice nest. I am not sure the coil is bad. Need ti clean things up and check it out.

 

[Bob]

Have you checked out the ASECC website. (Now hosted by a business.) There's TONS of old Briggs info there.
ASECC

 

[JOB]

Years ago I had heard they were extinct. But it looks like they are somewhat available. The one I have is on an irrigation pump and if I can't get it firing I will try and mount the pump to some plate and couple another engine to it. You would have to really love that engine to spend two hundred on it. I had a friend back in the late fifty's that put a car coil and battery on a Cushman scooter.

 

[JOB]

I was wanting to know the engine speed in case I have to re-power the pump that it is running, thanks

 

[JOB]

mine is the 23 FB 203554. I was wondering if that was where the points and condenser was at. I did not think anything in there could open and close points and did not think there was enough room in there for both. Should have pulled the cover off. Learn something new everyday.

 

[JOB]

That information looks pretty useful, Thanks

 

[JOB]

That looked like some pretty useful information on that site also. Thanks

 

[JOB]

I let this engine and pump sit neglected too long. I am wondering if I can bring it back to life. The mice did a pretty good number on it. If I can get spark I will need to do some sheet metal repair.

This engine has a Hale FZ Fire pump on it. Years ago I used the pump for irrigation. I think I could an Irrigation pump again next summer. In picture two there is some tape of some sort that wraps around the coil and the pieces on both sides of it. What is the tape for and what kind is it.

I have not checked yet to see if the coil is bad, but do you know what wrecks them?

 

[Dick L]

Only just a tad more rust than mine had when I took it apart the first time. About the same amount or mice nests as mine as well. I marked the timing on the back plate deep with a scriber before I removed the magneto assembly. That way I didn't have to worry about setting the timing.
Here is a link to a new coil.
Check Here

 

[JOB]

You are saying that if my coil is bad that is the replacement. I will try to get it up on a bench tomorrow and clean things up and maybe check for spark. Thanks

 

[JOB]

I looked a little closer at that coil. Looks like this engine will come to life again even if the old coil is bad.

 

[Billy Shafer]

I should have your information in a day or two.

 

[El Toro]

I will sell you the engine off my Toro or the whole mower. It was rebuilt several years ago. Hal

 

[Billy Shafer]

My contact just called me. Said some parts are still in the system. Looking for a service manual for you.

 

[Billy Shafer]

I have your manual. Email me.

[email protected]

 

[sgull]

I acquired an old Darley (manufacturer of pump) portable fire pump with a Briggs 23AFB engine. It too has been sitting, neglected. I've been cleaning it up, checking it out, etc. I'd be interested in discussing the coil situation and other stuff too regarding this piece of equipment with you especially as your engine is part of fire pump equipment like mine, so we can get ours running/restored whatever.

Here's a shot of the coil, cobwebs and all. Am planning on replacing it, actually using a converted different style of coil.