AboutEric A. Jones Expertise Lawnmower Repair . Certified Master Service Technician from B&S. Have 13 years experience on B&S, Lawn Chief, Weed Eater, Echo, Peerless, Wheel Horse, Snapper, Atlas, MTD, McCulloch, Homelite and many other numerous brands. Specialize in electrical repair.
Experience Born and raised in the midwest. Started tinkering with engines when I was about 14 on my Suzuki RM-80. I began lawn mower repair at a small hardware store. I knew absolutely nothing. I read lots of repair manuals and met an older fellow who taught me many lessons. I continued working on small engines through high school and paid my way through college working on mowers at the same hardware store. Decided to get away from the midwest and mower repair so I joined the Air Force. I repaired air traffic control electronic equipment and ended up in Hawaii where I got a part time job at Small Engine Clinic. I gained a lot of experience from the Small Engine Clinic and had a blast repairing small engines. I then took the Briggs and Stratton Master Service Technician test and earned my MST. I then traveled to Wisconsin where I attended the factory update training seminar and received formal training. I received a scholarship from the Air Force and am currently pursuing another degree.
Question I am trying to help a lady who is a neighbor and cant afford to take the machine in for repair. She has a 1960's lawn edger. It has what appears to be a 2 1/2 hp Briggs & Stratton engine on it. All serial numbers are long ago worn away. The engine has no spark. I believe it is either a faulty set of points or bad condensor. My problem is I can't figure how to remove the flywheel. I have removed the cowl which houses the recoil starter. Their is a small racheting square piece that is attached to the engines shaft and fits into the recoil starter. I do not know how to remove it. I also need advice on removing the flywheel. I know it is on a keyway, but do not see any nut, etc. Please inform me how to remove these items using common tools as I can not afford to purchase special tools to get this flywheel off. Your help will be greatly appreciated.
Bob
Answer You can use a large hammer and a chisel or screwdriver to remove the rest of the starter clutch (square piece). It threads on like a normal bolt...right to tighten left to loosen.
The engine should have a cast iron flywheel. Use a hammer and hit the flywheel while GENTLY prying on the under side of the flywheel. DO NOT hit the magnet part of the flywheel. This is softer than the cast part and can break. Hit the flywheel squarely or you will break the cooling fins.
