I was going to ask a question that should be simple, but is very hard to find anywhere. I seem to have stumbled on to the answer. Wondering if any tech experts on this forum might care to comment or confirm the information. After breaking an already shortened cord on a recoil starter, I began to wonder what length of cord I will need as a replacement?
Question: How long is a standard Briggs and Stratton recoil cord and what diameter is most often used in their lawnmowers?
Seems the answer may be found in products being sold on various online websites. Most cords that are touted to fit a B&S lawnmower are between 1.4 and 1.5 metres long, and 9/64" diameter. I remember a relative was not particular. He would just pull out a length of cord holding the roll in one hand against his chest with the end of the rope in the other hand, stretched out as far as he could reach, and that is where he cut it. He had long arms so probably was around 1.4-1.5 m at a guess. I note that some online aftermarket pages are recommending metric equivalent 3.5mm, others 4mm. I guess it hardly matters, although some of the newer recoils have a very narrow hole in the inner plastic pulley, meaning the smaller diameter may be best.
One thing I have discovered is the older clutch-type recoils were far superior to the newer ones on Classic/Sprint etc. where you have to wind up the spring that sits behind. Trying to hold it and clamp it all together while feeding a rope through is a near impossible task. You need like 5 hands and a swear jar and packet of bandaids placed nearby. These recoils seem to have been designed to take people's fingers off if you ask me. The old idea was superior and far safer in my opinion. I am sure there must be an easy way to install a cord into the Classic/Sprint recoil starters. I have watched online videos claiming to offer an easy way to install a rope, but have still found the task to be difficult and frustrating. Just getting the rope through that extremely narrow hole on the plastic pulley is like trying to thread a needle in the dark.
