2hp Briggs & Stratton

I can remember see this style of engine in Exchange & Mart as a kid. Always wanted one, no project in mind - I just wanted one!
They were being sold new for about £16. (about 1970?)
So I have watched a few for sale and finally took the plunge. Made in 1982 it appears well engineered using aluminium for crankcase and cylinder block which I understand is chrome plated.
Started dismantling this afternoon and have been pleased with its condition, the bore still has honing marks. Doesn't look like it's been apart although as it is finished in gold I understand it is a factory remanufactured unit - like BMC with their Gold Seal units! This apparently powered a Webb lawnmower.
After lugging my JAP around this is so light weight!

They were a good reliable little unit and got electronic ignition which was a good move

Back in the 60s we had a Stoic grass cutter fited with a Brigg engine with a clockwork starter. Brill bit if kit. Still have a new spring for it . Arthur

Interestingly I saw Magnetron on end cover and never thought much about it but upon removing coil and flywheel - I didn't find any points!
One less customer adjustment to get wrong I decided.
Shall continue with dismantling today.

Alan

Spent a few hours dismantling and cleaning parts and found it to be in excellent order. As stated above honing marks are to be seen in the bore and now I have piston out they are visible all the way down the bore!
Also surprised at the valves/seats which would pass for new. Obviously will lap them in but other engines seats have been bordering on refacing.
Been searching for info regarding valve clearances but as yet not come up with anything, any ideas?

Alan

I have used Briggsbits for parts - https://www.briggsbits.co.uk/index.html

If you find the engine number (can be hard to see sometimes) you will be able to download a manual from - https://www.briggsandstratton.com/eu/en_gb/support/manuals.html

The number is usually on the cowl hidden by the carb/tank

Thanks for the link, the engine number is visible where you suggested. I can't believe how many types of engine B & S have made over the years!
I read/saw somewhere that these aluminium/diecast cylinder engines had chromium plated bores and when I saw the lack of wear in this one I decided it must be true?
But today as I have started to rebuild the engine, grinding valves etc I'm not so sure - the bore doesn't look chrome in colour. Being a die-casting the material is relatively 'hard' but surely it wouldn't be suitable as a cylinder material?

Alan

I know it's a bit modern for you guys (only 40 years old) but I've enjoyed working on the little engine and am impressed with the general engineering and the fact that although spending it's working life on a Webb mower it's survived incredibly well.
Used our local Earnest Doe for an air filter and stop switch, head and crankcase gasket was all it wanted.
As the 'stickers' on the cowling were in good condition I decided to strip all paint leaving them in position. Etch primer followed with a close to original gold and the whole lot, including stickers was laquered and let all parts air dry for a couple of days. As we've had some nice days I set all the parts out on the patio table in the sunshine to fully cure.
This afternoon I had the opportunity to continue with engine assembly. The engine was basically already assembled so it was mainly the painted parts.
However my parts must be following Neil's footsteps to disaster, but my parts have 'crazed', I guess they didn't take too kindly to the baking!
In all honesty although the finish has been compromised in a way it sort of adds petina and gives the appearance of age.
Not what was planned but it's ok!

Alan

Nice little project. As for it being 'only' 40 years old, all the 'vintage' engines we enjoy seeing at rallies ect were 'only' 40 years old once...

Nice work Alan.
I've stopped worrying about slightly duff paintwork - probably still better than original.

Hi Alan, I feel your pain. There seem to be far more ways of applying paint so something goes wrong, than there is of doing it, so it all goes well! Sometimes you just have to accept how it turns out, otherwise you will never finish anything. As you say, not as you planned but there is a certainly something interesting in the finish, as it has turned out. I would definitely leave it as is, as long as it is now stable and doesn't continue to crack and craze.

Oh to be only 40 years old, what not to like about that!

Neil.

Had a suprise tonight!
Have finished the engine assembly with tank and air filter and have loaded the sponge air filter with oil as suggested and squeezed out the excess. Bolted it to a spare piece of mdf so I could hold it down with my foot while turning it over with a view to a possible run tomorrow.
Placed it on the floor to try it out - and it started and ran with a good tickover! There's no petrol in the tank in fact it doesn't even smell of petrol so I guess it must have been running on my 'assembly oil' and/or the vapours from the filter.
Most surprised, but it sounded alright!

Alan

First run! (on petrol!) Started well enough but only after I repaired the recoil - my boy scouts knot in the handle proved inadequate!
Next to rig up the centrifugal clutch for the alternator (to be sourced)

Alan
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/aqjBJ-b20Ig?feature=share

Nice work Alan.

Thanks, pleased with the outcome it's a nice little engine.
Love to work with something bigger but just don't have the space!

Alan

bore is aluminium piston is hard plated on these on castiron liner bore engines the piston is non plated

Obviously works well as the bore/piston looked virtually unused.
Originally before I had dismantled it, I had heard that the bore was chrome plated but upon disassembly it became obvious that it wasn't and the piston had an almost anodised looking finish.

Alan

Great job, sounds really good in the video!

Thanks OAY, it hasn't progressed further as other projects have pushed in!
Great little engine's and being all aluminium are so light.

Alan

Looks mint!