Question about flywheels...

[Thrasher]

I have an aluminum flywheel that I took off of a lawnmower and it it much lighter than the cast iron one that I have and fits perfectly on my 5hp Briggs. My question is, should this work okay and is it safe ? What should be the outcome ???

 

[Russ2251]

No problem as long as no other mods have been done.
Make sure it's torqued to factory specs.
Do not over rev it without a load.
I've done it dozens of times.
Keep in mind that stalling will occur more often. Raise idle speed to keep stalling to a minimum.

 

[Thrasher]

No problem as long as no other mods have been done.
Make sure it's torqued to factory specs.
Do not over rev it without a load.
I've done it dozens of times.
Keep in mind that stalling will occur more often. Raise idle speed to keep stalling to a minimum.

would other mods include removing the governor ? that's all I've done. would the aluminum one make it run any faster ?

 

[Russ2251]

No other mods other than governor?

 

[Thrasher]

I think that's it. Unless you would consider a unifilter and a 12" black iron pipe nipple for the header a mod. it's pretty fast though anyhow... it's surprised me the first time I got on it. what would it help if anything ? and why would any mods make a difference ? is the aluminum less likely to cause problems than a cast iron one ?

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Those really light paper thin ones? I wouldnt give one to my worst enemy!

 

[Russ2251]

Aluminum flywheel will not increase hp or rpm, but will instead get you to top speed somewhat faster.
Simply put, you will be faster off the line.
Engine mods combined with lighter flywheel could make engine unstable due to harmonics that would not normally be seen with a cast iron flywheel. Use of straight pipe or oddball filters are not a factor. I've had no real experience with modified engines and aluminum flywheels. I just bolt them up to straight stock engines.

is the aluminum less likely to cause problems than a cast iron one ?

Just the opposite.
Be aware that aluminum flywheel will make engine harder to start because of lack of inertia.
Will act as if timing has been advanced by several degrees. May yank starter grip out of you hands.
Start it with a firm grip and authority.

 

[Thrasher]

I think I will just stick to the cast iron then. I just tried to start the engine with the aluminum one and it didn't go so well. another thing that could be a problem with it now though is that i removed the points and wasn't sure if all I needed to do to bypass whatever it is that they do is put a coil with the extra black wire running from it. I'm hoping that's all I needed to do because I threw away the points yesterday and don;t wanna dig through the trash.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Why would you get rid of the points? Its something you WANT to have. Points rarely need anything past a good filing and re gaping to get them going again, when a electronic coil goes, it goes.

 

[Russ2251]

Been looking for an early Briggs 5hp with points for over a year now.
Just got one off Ebay. A thing of beauty. Built January 11, 1969.
$30 but got killed with shipping.
What more could a man want besides this:

 

[kibble]

One that can hold up a good conversation!

 

[Russ2251]

One that can hold up a good conversation!

Conversation? Let's see...
Oh yeah... is that like when ya talk about stuff???

 

[kibble]

Yes, like flywheel explosions and such.

Thrasher, looks like you may have some trash diggin' to do!

 

[Russ2251]

Hey...Beyonce...Wanna see my flywheel explode?

 

[Thrasher]

so I need to put the points back on it then.... dang it!!! why do I always do stuff before asking ? how do the points work ? there is one wire coming off of them, but where is it suppose to go ? I'm not even sure how they go back on...

 

[jr dragster T]

Hey...Beyonce...Wanna see my flywheel explode?

Lol I think a little more than a flywheel might explode if I met her!