OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Briggs & Stratton Engines back again

sorry peoples but im full of questions
can a pull start 8 hp engine be adapted for an electric start?

Can a 1910 (i.e. crankhandle start) 30 series Cadillac be adapted into a 1912 30 series (same body, same engine, but with Kettering's "SLI" system: electric start, charging system, proper headlights, coil ignition, etc.)? It may end up a bit like grandfather's axe, which is still original, but has had two new heads and five new handles.

In specific terms, I don't know the answer. It may just be a new flywheel, and starter mounting brackets, or it may be a different crankcase and more.

I belive they can be, you would need an electric start flywheel, im pretty sure the holes are there on even the old briggs motors. However some of them dont have mounting points for the charging system under the flywheel.

It definately can be done,like grumpy said-change the flywheel to a ring-gear type,fit the starter motor-starter switch or just a push button type,install the battery (motor bike size will do)and connect it all up.the wiring is simple and can be sorced from here.you only need the battery to activate the starter motor because the coil(s)will provide their own power for spark.every now and then just charge the battery up with a car charger.one of my ride ons is like this and it gets charged about every two months over night because my inbuilt regulater/rectifier (electronic)is blown...ken

is there a specific ring gear?
and thanks heaps for the help guys its realy apreciated
regards mike

pretty sure it must be another 8hp flywheel, 10hp ones are bigger.

Ken, would one of the combined starter-and-alternator units fit (engine type number ends in "7")? They made them in various types with output currents ranging from 1.5 to 12 amps.

i got hold of a 12 hp in bits but its complete looks like all needs is a new set rings but i only want it for the starter etc it has the charging system in the flywheel too the model number is 281707-4029 01-91052211 i am hoping theese will fit the old 8 hp model no 192702-0126 01-84080612

Don't get too committed until you check that the 12 hp flywheel will fit on the 8 hp engine - I can't recall the last time Joe Carroll's memory was wrong about something like that, it must have been quite a while ago. Maybe you could use the whole 12 hp engine?

it has a tapered shaft and i need it on the old rover tiller steer type ride on and the pulley is also the drive plate it has friction material bonded to it and it drives the wheels is sooooo simple its brilliant id have to modify the pulley i have but im not sure if it can be done of if its viable cost wise.either way i could rebuild the 12 and sell of and buy an 8 i spose.the stator had the same part number on both engines if that means anything .i spose ill know more when i take the top off the 8hp and have a look see

If you put the two flywheels side by side you should get to the bottom of it very quickly. Please post some pictures and explanations, so in future we'll have a record of what works and what doesn't.

is there a workshop manual on the strip down and rebuild?

I can only suggest the B&S engine overhaul model that covers engines of approximately that vintage:
http://www.tpub.com/content/recoveryvehicles/TM-5-4240-501-14P/css/TM-5-4240-501-14P_78.htm

I have not seen a better manual, though I think there are other manuals for the current engines. Use the "next" and "back" buttons to see other pages.

thanks for the info .i pulled the cowl off and the two flywheels are the same dia but the 12hp one is taller even without the ring gear.i spose for the charging system.i havent pulled the existing flywheel off as yet as looks different for the coil setup i couldnt see the magnets on the outside of the 12 hp flywheel. on the brighter side i was wrong about shaft and it is a 25mm output shaft the same as the 8hp so i can rebuild and fit to the old girl it looks to be a standard bore which is clean and the piston and rod look good.as i said it is in pieces will need a valve grind and decoke but apart from that a freshen up kit and should be a good engine.

ok had the flywheel off and joe is correct it wont fit the ring gear hits the top of the engine block.and starter altho the mounting holes are there is about 5mm too long and hits the base.the original flywheel has no mounting provisions for the ring gear either.so it looks like i will put her back together and try sell it off to buy the rebuild kit for the 12 hp do you guys sell such a thing and how much would it be i need standard rings full gasket kit one thing i did notice that one of the valve retainer washer thingys is missing

It sounds so far as if you would do best by fitting the entire 12 hp engine, including starter and charging system. Since it was made in 1991, compared with 1984 for your current 8 hp engine, there is a good chance it has quite a lot of life left in it and it is probably a slightly more modern design. I do not recommend using a starter without a proper charging system (as on the 12 hp engine) as it usually ends in poor battery life, and at best it is an extra chore, remembering to charge the battery regularly.

Does the 12 hp actually fit into your mower? Can you post some pictures of the two engines - maybe installed in the mower?

like i said ill have to rebuild the 12 hp as is stripped down anyway it will fit on the mower ok as it is an old tiller steer type rover the pulley from the rover fits on the 12hp shaft and its not enclosed so there is plenty of room for motor

these are the bad girls the front one is a parts only unit but then if i rebuild the cutter deck she would be fine they both work and cut fine

OK, that looks easy to fit. When the engine has to go under a hood on the mower there are often clearance problems in fitting a different engine.

I would be terribly interested in one of those fuel tanks.





Bob.