Obvious jokes are never meant to be taken literally. Of course I was only joking about gluing the fins back on, hence the "LOL". I know it won't work and wouldn't even consider trying it. I might be dumb but am not quite that dumb.
Why do people always assume you have done something wrong when you have not? When retrofitting, I guess we are all doing something "different" and in some people's books that will always be viewed as being "wrong" by default.
Norm, the two flywheels are from an entirely different era. The new ones were not made with rachet winders in mind. Those days had long passed by the time they came on the scene. Look at the photos. You will see one with lots of broad based fins, then a modern one with less fins, less broad based and finer, and with a lot more space between each. The lever prong on the cowl is making contact with the two flywheels in exactly the same place. I measured this perfectly. It works the same. In fact it did work for about 10 spins, then all of a sudden the fins stripped off on one side. I can't explain it any more than you can. All I know is it happened and it does not happen on the old flywheel. The logical conclusion in my mind is that the fins on the more modern flywheels are not compatible with an older rachet wind-up starter.
AVB, I got the coil checked by an auto tech today. He says it is good on both primary and secondary. So now to get an ignition module and give it a try. My past experience with these on Kirby Lauson engines was very poor. The timing was in all cases impaired, to the point that it became impossible to attempt a start without stripping off the keyway and damaging the shaft. I give these ignition module a big thumbs down for use on 60s and 70s Kirby Lauson and Kirby Tecumseh engines. Won't work so don't bother trying. Briggs are similar engines to Techumseh, so I am rather skeptical and cautious. I bet the results will be a dramatic misfire and a broken keyway!
