Hi all,

I'm having a bugger of a time figuring out the model code on this Briggs I have. It's stamped on the bottom with Mar 1972, so it's a "classic"

The model number I've read as "143 621042" and a serial # of 2136B

However, following the decoding guidlines that Briggs set out on their website, that's not a valid model #. Can anyone help me to decode this?

This engine was a replacement on an old David Bradley walk-behind tractor. The original engine was flooded when Hurricane Agnes came to town in '72, but the DB didn't float away, so my uncle had gone out to Sears and bought this engine for it. I'm gonna try to start it up tomorrow, but it hasn't been run in around 18-20 years, and it has an extreme lack of an exhaust system.

The DB- http://www.king-nerd.com/dood/images/truck/work/db2.JPG

Thanks for anyones help!

should state, model, type, and code..... well all is really important would be hp, usually these were splash lube with either a starter/alternator or a rope start. first thing would be to clean and rebuild the carb, then oil change and a new plug, little oil in the cylinder overnight would be helpful to the rings and bore, ( its been setting after all ) and air filter of course. before you go banging your head about it not starting, unless you havn't done these already, do em first. also clean the tank it has and check it over if its metal, for rust.....plastic for cracks, and of course fuel lines are a must.... as for exhaust, if you have a steel threaded pipe that will fit, that would work.....

bugman-

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I do believe that this is a splash lube. It has a recoil starter on it. I've had the head off, and everything looks fine from the top down. Oil is fresh and full... haven't checked for spark yet. The fuel tank is good (plastic), but the fuel like from tank to carb needs to be replaced. I might have something laying around that I can use temporarily.

As for the exhaust, the studs are rusted off in the block, so I don't think I can go that route unless I drill them out and retap the holes. And the threads in the block (for just threading in a steel pipe) are just about gone from rust. I _might_ be able to get something to thread, or maybe not. Do these engines need the backpressure to prevent burning a valve?

The only reason I was looking for the model # is because I want to look it up on the Briggs site and see what I've got. Having a list of replacement part #s would be helpful, too, as I'm likely to need some!

well, a small engine shop if you have one around can look up some old stuff..... as for numbers, the shroud should have it stamped on the top at the plug, or on the side....having rust will make it harder to make em out or even find em. oh and fuel lines...don't skimp on em, you can get targon line from a shop for cheap... lasts a long time as well and is real flexible. they really don't need backpressure, its a little harder on the valve but, really doesn't affect em, the threads can maybe be cleaned up? you may can drill the bolts and get em out with a easy out. oh and the reason for oil in the cylinder, its a horizontal, just a little oil but it'll run down to the rings as well as lube the bore right when you go to start. as for spark as well, it should use a point and condensor system.....you can redo that, or get a conversion kit if it doesn't give spark, i don't think the flywheel key would be sheared, but thats a easy and cheap fix as well. the coil can also be checked as well by a shop. but you may get lucky and it does give spark.....

What you have is a Tecumseh engine, probably an H30 or 35, 3 or 3.5 HP. The 143.621042 number is a Sears number and can be crossed to exactly what it is.

See it here http://www3.sears.com/Paul/partlist_search.asp?page_id=00001&prd_typ_id=1503500&bnd_id=0247&model_desc=CRAFTSMAN%204-CYCLE%20ENGINE&model_num=143621042&doc_id=00018385&documentTypeID=PLDM&documentClassCode=PM&titleType=BASIC%20ENGINE&titleID=00001&SearchType=TITLE&

Maybe this will help,
Mike

Wanted to also mention, the part numbers listed at the site posted above ARE Tecumseh numbers and can be used for getting parts anywhere you choose.

Mike

AWESOME

Thanks, man. I don't know why I just assumed it was a B&S. Didn't they make a lot of the Sears branded engine? Anyway, I checked out a few parts I might need from that site... some are unavailable, but most are still around. I may just end up buying a new horizontal shaft engine for this project, but I'm trying to do this spending little to no money. I would LOVE to have an original David Bradley engine, but they're getting pretty hard to find these days!

At the time the David Bradley was made Tecumseh was Sears main line engine. Later years saw B&S used about as much and now Tecumseh is only seen on the lower end of their various lines.

David Bradley engines are nothting more than Tecumseh or whatever engines with DB stickers etc. It would be great to go back with an original. Does the machine itself have a model tag that may give up a number? That may show exactly what Sears branded engine came on it. Almost every DB machine I have ever seen had an engine that was put on after the fact.

Most of the parts for this engine appeared on engines right through the beginning of the OHV run and most can still be found in larger distributors stock even if NLA.

This engine will be under the flywheel coil and new points and condensor will most often get it firing.

I have a few on some old stuff at the shop so if you need something that has an absurd price (very likely) LMK here in the Swap and Sell forum. Most of the time I only want shipping for this stuff and it is only offered from one hobbiest to another as a favor.

Mike

Mike,

Thanks again. The David Bradley that I have is a 1955 model. I do have the model and serial #'s off those tags, but not right in front of me. It did have the original engine on it until '72 when it was submerged by Hurricane Agnes. I don't know how long this engine was used, but it's been in our posession for at least 18 years, and I know it hasn't been run in that time. I took some pics of it, but don't have them uploaded yet.