The quickest way to set the air gap between the mag and coil is with a file card. Loosen the bolts on the coil and slide the file card between the coil and flywheel. Turn the flywheel by hand until the magnets snap the coil against the file card. Tighten the bolts down and remove the card.
This would have to be an older engine to have points on it still. But if you have points they gap at 20 thousandths on all engines by Briggs. The plug gaps at 30 thousandths. You may already know but if not, take a piece of sand paper and polish the side of the flywheel before you set the air gap. It won't hurt to take the coil off completely and do the same. I always spray them both off with Brake Clean and not carburetor cleaner before going together again. You can do the same to the points if you have points. However with the points, if you spray them down let them close and put a piece of clean typing paper between the 2 halves and drag it out. Do this a few times and you'll wipe off any oil or grease as well as drying them off from the spray. ----- Original Message ----- From: Robert j To: Blind Handyman Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:38 PM Subject: [BlindHandyMan] ignition gaps on a Briggs and Stratton I have a 17 HP B and S Engine on a lawn tractor. Where would be a good place to start for a gap between the magneto and the fly wheel. Or does it run the gammit from engine to engine. Also if I need to dig further, what should the points be gapped at? I have not had the fly wheel off of this engine so as far as I know maybe they have done away with points by the time this engine was built. I have no idea how old the engine is and it is not the origanl engine so if I nne to find numbers where would the most commen places be to look? [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
