Mend > Lawn Mowers

Mend Briggs & Stratton 170702 Lawn Mower Engine

How to check points on old Briggs & Stratton 170702 7HP motor?

I suspect the points need changing/adjusting as it won't start. Coil and plug ok, and there's fuel. I've removed the cowling/petrol tank assembly and the small perforated disk held on by 4 small bolts, but I can't see how to remove the flywheel. All I have sticking up is the 3/4" square ratchet shaft which engages with the rope starter mechanism. I'm assuming the points are underneath the flywheel...?

Roger
April 2007

Briggs & Stratton Briggs & Stratton 170702 Garden Tools, Lawn Mowers Lawn Mower Engine Briggs & Stratton

you don't need to lube the Plunger(cam follower),and most models are set to 20thou, at 6thou your timing is effectively retarded too far for decent ignition as compression is low when spark occurs and if it does it will be to feeble to maintain a run situation.

Paul
April 2010

This is a bit late but it maybe useful for later searchers. When you remove the starter mechanism (2 screws) there's an aluminium nut on the shaft. You may be able to use a stillson to unscrew it but I used a steel drift and a large hammer on on of the lugs. It is normal, right hand thread and a couple of blows should looden it. When the nut is removed you'll need to jiggle the flywheel off. I used a claw hammer as a lever on diametrically opposed points. Under the flywheelm is an aluminium housing that just pulls off and iside are the points. It looks as if the points gap is adjusted by slackening off the condenser clamp screw.

Derek
May 2009

como se desarma el motor de las poleas

zabdiel
May 2009

After looking at an advert for parts, I guessed the top assembly just unscrewed. It did! So what do I set the points at? Currently they are 6 thou of an inch. Also, does the "cam follower" (for want of a better word) need lubricating?

Roger
April 2007