OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Finding and Swapping Rare Finds & Donations Briggs 81700 - Wind-up Starter - 1960

Picked up this little beauty, has been difficult finding the what,who & how for this.
I have found the Parts list & ................

Any info would be greatly Appreciated.


[video][/video]

G'day Paul

This is an engine well worth saving.
It's the 8 Series that first appeared on AUS rotaries in 1960,
making it the first Briggs vertical shaft to do so.

The 8 Series had a longer life in horizontal form than in
vertical form - the vert. being replaced by the famous 9 series.
The 8 Series horozontal shafts would live on - powering such
mowers as the Model 45 Scott Bonnars.

This engine is of a high specification, having the Flo-jet
carby and Hushtone muffler. Other mowers would be fitted with the
Pulsa-jet carby.

I note that this one has remote throttle control and was once
red in colour. That is an important clue.

My best guess is that this was originally fitted to a HG Palmer De-luxe,
a known user of this specification (type) in 1960. The only other user I know
of in 1960 was Rover Mowers - but their spec. had on-board throttle control.



You have supplied great photos and video for the record.

Hope this helps.
-------------------------
Jack

G'day Paul,

Good score. Personally I've never seen anything like it.

Update... got a hold of this original Operators manual for my motor..

What a great score. What is the gizmo with the six lobe knob sticking out the side?

I suspect it is a six lobe knob sticking out the side.

I think this is an interesting story - vintage mower wise.
Briggs developed a safer system than the original Tecumseh 'impulse'.

The impulse system was a 'wind and flip-over' crank handle.
One safety concern (I guess) was that a child could crank the motor inadvertently.

The Briggs system introduced the rotary knob release, so cranking was
a two-stage process. Note, though, that the high-energy spring was
still a safety problem (in service).

Here is a wonderful 2013 auction photo(s) of NOS:-



I think superdooper has a significant engine here -
for early design of rotary 4-stroke engines.

Crank or cranky? You decide.
----------------------------------
Jack

Yeah, It's so much safer to use than some of my victa pulse starters.
This book came with a 61 model engine that was purchased in Sept 62, my engine is Dec 60.

they call this the "Shock Free " wind up starter.
I am now looking for the mower to go with it....