New Briggs 3.5 HP flathead!!!

[JTSpeedDemon]

Thanks for the info Hellion.
You may know this, but I have some Pulsa-Jet parts layin' around, so I'll use those to work on it.
First step'll probably be to clean the gas tank, check to see if the spark plug is bad(probably is), and if it is I'll try to see if my 5 HP one will fit. Unless per some miracle it has brand new oil in it, I'll also give it an oil change.

 

[Hellion]

A lot of these YouTube (YouTard) personalities who fix junker engines do a simple spark, compression and fire test right off to see if the engine is worth tinkering with.

You have spark, so the next thing they do is squirt a bit of fuel right into the spark plug hole, or into the carb throat and give it a pull.

In this disposable age, most people toss spark plugs left and right but they can be cleaned and reused. I use the steel or brass wire "toothbrushes" from HF to clean them.
If you're really desperate, you can file the electrode flat again (if rounded) and re-gap the plug. Good as new.

That's what the old timers did in ages past.

 

[landuse]

I don't know why you are so obsessed about if it is a 3.5 or 3HP, and about what carb you have. The thing is a little Briggs, and parts are out there in the millions. Just take the carb off and clean the thing already! You don't need to know the exact make. Those things are so generic that pretty much any small Briggs pulse carb part is going to fix

 

[Hellion]

I don't know why you are so obsessed about if it is a 3.5 or 3HP, and about what carb you have. The thing is a little Briggs, and parts are out there in the millions....

I know, right?

Poor guy had a conniption fit over the details and he's the resident "Briggs Expert", and I only say that half jokingly. I think he just went catatonic after the it's-not-an-eight-horsepower letdown.

Here's a bit of inspiration from NZ. Calling it a hot rod is a bit of a stretch but it sounds good....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxEra8wtmz4

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

I was just a little worried the wagon would be underpowered at first, but it's nothing performance mods can't fix. Today or tomorrow I expect to get crackin' on this thing.

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

I just ran some preliminary tests. I took of the air filter cover, only to find that the air filter is missing.:toetap05:
Anyway, I sprayed some carb cleaner in there(I know it's not a good idea, but I just want to get this thing running, I don't mind as much if it breaks or whatnot) and then I started pulling the cord, but no sputtering even.
So I pulled the plug and checked to see if it would spark.(I cleaned it a bit beforehand)
But no spark. Thinking back, I'm not sure if the fastener part of the plug was touching the head, so it might not have had a full circuit. I'll check again.
But anyway, I'm 90% sure that it's a spark plug problem, since the plug wire gave me a pretty substantial shock! Yow!
So yeah, this engine could be worse, but the main thing now is to track down a new spark plug. I'll try Ebay and the local small engine shop.

---------- Post added at 10:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:00 AM ----------

Also, since this thing has a pneumatic governor, I think that means it doesn't have any components in the crankcase. I think that means that for once, it might be acceptable to bypass it? Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Yep, double checked and the spark plug is good-and-well KAPUT!
I ordered an Autolite 295 off Ebay, it's recommended by my Haynes small engine manual.
I also fixed the starter! Turns out the spring is 100% fine, the rope was just too long, so I trimmed it and eliminated the unnecessary little bar piece the rope wraps around to hold it on the handle. A double knot keeps it from sliding off the handle now.
Also checked the oil. Bad, but not too bad, it's just a little grayish murky, not totally black. And I smelled it, no gas smell, which is good. I also popped off the blower housing and confirmed that it has the normal coil setup instead of the more complicated points system. Also made sure the flywheel magnet is strong(it is), cleaned out gunk out of blower housing etc.
Sometime soon I'll get going on the carb/gas tank.
Question: Would the 3 HP Pulsa-Jet be the same as the 5 HP Pulsa-Jet?

 

[Hellion]

Sometimes spark plugs just quit, get fried or break internally. Weirdest thing ever because they’ll normally last for many thousands of hours or miles and keep sparking, but in time the firing end gets eroded/degraded and the spark gets weaker.

Yes. The Pulsa Jet is universal in size across the different engine displacement types. Commonality is what saves money and reduces complexity (having a different carb for every model), etc.

Most big box stores carry small engine spark plugs, the most common is the Champion brand J19LM, RJ19LM which kinda gets poor reviews. I picked up some brand called FirstFire (model #FF-10) made by E3 Spark Plugs. For reference, it replaces Champion:

J17LM
J19LM
RJ17LM
RJ19LM

And NGK:
B2LM
B4LM

P.S. Autolite comes highly recommended.

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Well then, I finally have a use for those Pulsa-Jet parts! Good to know, thanks!

---------- Post added at 03:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:50 PM ----------

Yeah, I read some really good reviews for Autolite, also discouraging Champion.
Today or tomorrow I'm going to soak the gas tank with vinegar to clean out all the junk.

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Got the tank full of vinegar, gonna let it sit over night. I'll soon clean/partial rebuild the carb if necessary. The main thing this engine needs is a new spark plug.
Forgot to mention I squirted some WD-40 into the starter to lube it up, and it works REALLY well now.

 

[landuse]

Have a look at these links. They helped me with my 3.5HP that I used to have

http://outdoorpowerinfo.com/repairs/briggs_pulsa-jet_horiz_adj.asp
http://outdoorpowerinfo.com/repairs/briggs_pulsa-jet_horiz_fixed.asp

And the power will be fine for a wagon. I used mine on a minibike and it pulled me around just fine. No performance mods required

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Yeah I was gonna check that website.
Interesting thing about my Pulsa-Jet is that it only has one nylon/plastic pickup tube, instead of one tall one and one short one.
I said this earlier in this thread, but I got no response, so I'll reask:

"Also, since this thing has a pneumatic governor, I think that means it doesn't have any components in the crankcase. I think that means that for once, it might be acceptable to bypass it? Correct me if I'm wrong. "

 

[mckutzy]

Im no expert on these type... but due to the thinness of the rod, Id say dont mess with it... keep it as stock, till you know with a new rod...
But if someone who does know chimes in, Id go for a Bronda conversion.... a good Honda adjustable carb jetted right with a new exhaust... itll be good...

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Eeeewww!!!


THAT, is the horrifying results of the vinegar bath, and one can of each of the following:

1. Carb Cleaner
2. Brake Cleaner
3. Electrical Parts Cleaner

But at least the tank is finally clean!
But eeeeewwww, that sediment...:arf:

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

The spark plug is at my town's post office, and it should be delivered today!

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Ok, so I pulled apart the carb, and as much as I hate to say it:
Hellion, you were mistaken about the carb.
It's not a Pulsa-Jet, it's an old Vacu-Jet. I don't mean anything personal, but yeah, you were mistaken(it's hard to tell just from the outside).
So that meant almost none of my parts would work.
But yeah, there was absolutely no diaphragm.
Anyway, I pulled it apart as much as I dared(I have almost no spare parts for it), and cleaned it out as best I could with brake cleaner(out of carb cleaner due to the gas tank fiasco), and I confirmed that there is no blockage in the pickup tube.
So once the spark plug comes today, I might be able to start it on gas!
Also I confirmed that the pneumatic governor has no parts inside the crankcase, so I might rig it up so I can temporarily bypass the governor.
To anyone else out there thinking of doing that, be 100% positive you DON'T have a mechanical governor first. Make sure it's pneumatic before you attempt something like that.

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Spark plug arrived!

 

[Hellion]

Spark plug arrived!

I'm glad you're keeping us apprised of all the (boring) details. I was on the edge of my seat, man!

Just one? Ya shoulda bought 2 at least. I thought you were flathead crazed?
You always need spares and stuff. This one might be kaput right out of the box (it happens).

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Weeeiird......

So I installed the brand spankin' new spark plug, and....
NO SPARK.
I made the gap smaller, checked the coil-to-magnet gap(which is good), and even used my fingers to bridge the gap from the plug terminal to the cylinder head, and it consistently gave me considerable shocks.

Out of curiosity I pulled the plug from my 5 HP and put it on after cleaning it up a bit.
NO SPARK.
So I put it back on the 5 HP engine.
SPARK.
So it HAS to be the coil.
I'll get lookin' around for a coil.
If anyone wants to send me one, that would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Hellion]

Might not be enough spark to "electrify" the plug. In other words, weak.

Are you sure your magneto is properly grounded? Check where it mounts to the block and if needed, lightly sand or brush both the magneto coil and the mounting bosses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYL0xdrvooI

...and an accompanying video...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8B7Xwpz94w