Thanks Gage, It appears that me and the motor are about the same age, it is open for debate as to which is in better condition.
I can remember seeing these identification plates on motors in the past, can't recall if it was just on B&S or others as well.
I can probably get a genuine flywheel key from a B&S dealer, the one which had sheared off was just key metal stock but as I discovered they do not fit very well.
Thank you for the link to the manual, it is a great help. I have made a small amount of progress but still a long ways off. I am getting a regular pulse or pop back through the carburettor which I think indicates that it is running too lean (could easily be the other way around) Although the float valve seems to work perfectly when disassembled it does not appear to be working in practise, as there is fuel weeping out between the top and bottom of the carburettor and some even puddling in the carburettor throat, near the choke. Seems a little odd if it is running too lean.
I also have fuel flowing out if I remove the main jet needle and packing nut but looking at the diagram this may be normal?
I will try reassembling the carby without the float and a little gasket goo where the emulsion tube hits the idle circuit, and that will give me an indication if the emulsion tube is fitting into the correct spot. It may be that it is bent and not seating correctly as well as catching on the float and preventing it from working.
I think the chances of getting new replacement parts would be pretty slim, but I will stop in at my local B&S dealer and see what they have, there is actually a number 27917 (the only one I have come across) on the gasket so it is possible that some of these pieces were used in later models.
Thanks for your help this far and I will keep you posted on progress Randy
If I can get a large enough hammer it will run for awhile just trying to get away from me
