I am in the market for a used 9-12 hp b&s engine for a rear-engine rider and most of the ones I see are electric start, only. My question is, how difficult is it to install pull start. It appears to me it would just be a matter of getting a clutch and retro-fit pull start assembly. Am I right or is there more to it? Thanks

It depends on the type of starter used on the model of engine you are looking at. The older engines with a starter clutch cannot be retro fitted to an electric start model as they need part of the crankshaft that extends up into the clutch drive. On electric start engines this part of the crankshaft is cut off and you would not be able to install the starter clutch. You could install a starter cup that you could wind a rope on to start.

The newer engines have a different type of recoil starter, and all these would need is a recoil starter assembly and a starter cup that can be installed on the flywheel.

It would really depend upon the model and type number of the replacement engine to see if a recoil starter would be available for that engine.

An example of one I would consider would be model 25707 (11HP), type 0625 01. Thanks for your help.