HOW TO ADJUST The Points on 3.5 HP BRIGGS & STRATTON Engine

[1717BY]

I have a question. It seems to me like the briggs points work the opposite way than the usual type. I think most points open when the engine needs to fire, but the B&S points are closed a very short time, so I think they are closing to produce a spark. Do you know anything about that?

[wyrnut007]

thankyou i appreciate the help

[tealover01]

i found your video as reference because it's been so long since i have done points and condenser work.. i'm working on a 1979 b&s 3.5 hp similar to the 1 you have. i noticed 2 wires in where you connect them on the condenser with the spring holding them but not going anywhere just hanging out, nothing to the magneto.. where on the magneto does 1 wire go?

[thesavaloykid]

thanks for a great video, got my engine running now.

[meccaturbo]

Waste of time messing with points on these engines....doesn't cost much to replace the points and magneto with a modern B&S electronic ignition magneto.

[1972FordF150]

@meccaturbo These electronic engines don't produce as hot of a spark or as strong of a spark as these points&condenser engines do. If your not lazy it's fairly quick and simple to install new points and adjust them, plus it's fun to do. They work way better than those electronic pos coils do.

[meccaturbo]

@1972FordF150 How do you know they don't produce as "hot of a spark or as strong of a spark"? Have you verified this to be sure? My experience with these engines shows that the Magnetron electronic ignition produces a far hotter spark than the points and condensers. The electronic coils are not POS, I've never had a single one go bad. Why waste time fiddling with points if you don't have to?

[1972FordF150]

Get shocked by a magnetron then a points&condenser engine and you'll find out. I have a 3.5 hp Briggs that I put magnetron on (wire going to the points from the coil was rotted so I had to put the magnetron on to run it) and before it ran smoother, started easier, and had way more power than it does with magnetron. Plus it had a way bigger and brighter spark with points than it does with magnetron. It hardly sparks with electronic compared to the points.

[meccaturbo]

@1972FordF150 I'll bet if you measured the spark voltage and compared the two, the magnetron spark would have a higher spark voltage. Bigger and brigher doesn't mean anything, you have to back up your claims with actual measurements. Sorry dude, but that's how you prove it, and you haven't proved it...

[1972FordF150]

@meccaturbo Well, from my experience points have just been better for me. All I know is when I get $30.00 I'm buying a brand new points&condenser coil for my engine and throwing that electronic boat anchor in my tool box and forgetting about it for ever. To each his own I guess.

[meccaturbo]

@1972FordF150 Hmm I'll have to compare both. Thanks for the advice.

[1717BY]

@1972FordF150 I think the magnetron needs more rpm to produce spark.

[1972FordF150]

@1717BY I think you're right. I just bought a new points and condenser coil for my 3.5 hp Briggs that I had electronic ignition on, and before I had to pull the rope harder before it would spark.

[BriggsMower]

hi is a .010 points gap good enough i used the ignition gap setting on my feeler gauge the brass one cause my points where at.004 lol and full of oil but still working?

[NOLIMIT69NOLIMIT2000]

You should have just put a magneto on it and done away with the points.

[MINIMAKERSHEAD]

why do you need the grill

[BriggsMower]

@MINIMAKERSHEAD its just  a saffty thing and stops big debrey going in the flywheel

[Evinrudeoutboard1]

I have a Very old Mcculloch Chainsaw that has weak spark I change the coil

still the same. point's look good has blue spark when on a small gap

but will not jump 020-30 gap any Idea's

[donyboy73]

@Evinrudeoutboard1 SOMETIMES I SAND THE POINTS WITH A 600 GRIT EMERY SANDPAPER

[MrCinimod93]

i just gut a aluminum mower i think a Jacobsen deck with identical engine what year is your engine mine says 59 on pull cord cover i am  starting to think the cover is older cause original engine paint was wight like yours and pull cord shroud was metallic blue i think the points were abandoned and changed to electronic coil its to full of dirt to tell it dose run but needs carb clean.

[blueticecho]

Could you just ditch those point and go with a electronic coil ??

[outdoorsman310]

if you open the points more than .020 does that advance, or retard ignition timing? or does it not ajust it

[donyboy73]

@outdoorsman310 i think it retards the timing

[duranate]

thanks for the tips, with this video i was able to get spark from my old 7 hp briggs. awesome, thank you

[phillippace]

That worked! Fired up on the third pull. Where do I send the consultant fee?

[donyboy73]

@phillippace that's good lol

[tehstickmen]

i have the same thing but its a 6hp and i get a shock from the sparkplug wire what should i do???

[donyboy73]

@tehstickmen u might want to replace the wire

[tehstickmen]

@donyboy73 my engine is on a antique golf cart

and it has not ran for over 10 years so it needs alot of work but ill try replaceing the wire thanks :)

and maybe check the points.

[phillippace]

Great video! It made it easy to get my engine apart

Had no spark - got my engine torn down, the points are opening and closing...

so how do i know if I need to replace the coil or condenser or points or all three?

[donyboy73]

@phillippace if the points are burnt then they need replacing, often i just sand them with 400 grit emery paper and then there is spark again

[phillippace]

@donyboy73 That did it! 3 pulls and it was running.  Thanks!

[BeastFromTheEast94]

i noticed you didn't put a key in the fly wheel. why is this?

[hzaidi3]

Hey, I say your video. I have a briggs and stratton 5HP just like that one that is on a rotary tiller. I need to replace the condenser. I was told I can do away with the points system simply by purchasing 394970

(magnetron upgrade kit). I was told you have to send the flywheel to b&S for repolirization of the magnets, is this true??? Also I noticed the ignition coil has 2 wires running out of it from underneath. I can't seem to find the same exact ignition coil with 2 wires running out from it

[BeastFromTheEast94]

@hzaidi3 i had a problem, and i just got an "all-in-one" magneto. the only thing is, is that you need a different kind of flywheel.

[th19940305]

i have one like this but it wont spark, i cleaned the points how u did, and now if i put my hand on it i can feel a shock but not too much of one. Should i replace the points or what?

[donyboy73]

@th19940305 try that if it doesn't work replace the coil

[th19940305]

@donyboy73 i got the spark to work now but after that i wnent to work on the carb and its a 70s engine with the long type of carb its a horizontal engine. THe carb has two pickup tubes ones long ones short and a deep gas tank. THe tank was rusted and the carb is shot do you think you could show me on a video what carbs you have in your parts shed if you can dig them out i would show you mine but my camera is broken right now

[donyboy73]

@th19940305 I DON'T HAVE EXTRA CARBS FOR THOSE

[colbycous01]

you forgot to fix that screaching from your recoil ratchet,, damnit!

[stutest2]

hellow i hope you are haveing a good day..I have a Queston when i was putting the sump on my b&s.the sumpqaskit is still in one peace.i know you can use black rtv sealent.but can i use the high temp red rtv sealent.

[donyboy73]

@stutest2 SHOULD WORK YES

[stutest2]

@donyboy73 thanks i figered it would work .but i just want to be shere.thaks so mutch have a great day

[motorhead45102]

hey if you haven't already, just put on a electronic magneto, it will bolt up and you won't have to worry about points ever again., im glad briggs made conversion really really easy.

[donyboy73]

@motorhead45102 can u send me the link to that conversion kit?

[motorhead45102]

@donyboy73 there is no conversion kit, just litterally take a electronic magneto from say a 95' or 99' or a brand new one, it will fit right on there, as long as its from another 3.5hp engine or now called the 300 series or the 450 series or 4hp, they are all the same. cause i was able to put my 3.5hp 1991 magneto which is electronic on a 1970s 3hp engine, and i belive it has to be from the same size of engine, but its really easy, just cut the points wire, unbolt magneto, bolt on electro. magn.

[ClassicTVMan81]

@donyboy73

The part # is 394970.

[seapeddler]

Ooops! I meant an Eaton Viking power reverse tiller with the 5hp Briggs.

How to get the friction wheel off.

[seapeddler]

Can you explain how to remove the friction wheel from a Sears Craftsman Rototiller, chain drive , 4-speed?

It's a 5hp Briggs engine.

[donyboy73]

@seapeddler i would have to see one here because i don't work on them too often and they are all different, if i get one in I'll make a video

[biggray94]

Request an Echo Carburetor Rebuild

[1972FordF150]

great video man, LIKED !

[donyboy73]

@1972FordF150 thanks dude

[1972FordF150]

@donyboy73 No problem.

[snogluver]

1. My tiller does not have a starter rope (l.o.l.)

2. The guy I got it from says there is no pump in the carburetor, and I have to fill up with gas alot from it eating about a half a inch of gas at a time.

[More350Power]

Thanks for the vid! I was just asking myself how im gonna check the points on my 73 briggs ( I gotta get it back first ) lol

[dukesroc01]

would this motor have the same setup that a Briggs and Stratton 3.5 hp on a lawnmower would?

[donyboy73]

@dukesroc01 if you have an older briggs 3.5 hp it is the same. the newer ones do not have points.

[dukesroc01]

@donyboy73 Thanks also something u might want to know is there is a fuel filter between the carburetor and the gas tank and that filter can sometimes slowly clog over time so if your motor slowly starts running worse or seems like its not getting any fuel that could be your problem.

[dukesroc01]

@donyboy73 Sorry i had posted my previous comment before i saw ur video on taking the carburetor off and cleaning it and yours has a different setup than mine does