Same engine as was on my grandfathers lawn mower❤️ Me running at the age of 9 in 1980🥰 I remember the gas was light Brown then! With like a blue shine… Man that was sweet days! And the gas smelled wonderful !!
One of my favorite engines thanks! Turn the air filter assembly around 180 degrees. It will fit like a puzzle piece and look so nice and give more room for fueling.
I have the MTD-branded version of this same mower. Got it used from a friend many years ago, and found that it didn't have enough power to keep up with an overgrown property I used it on. Ended up removing some material from the head with a belt sander to increase the compression and also increased the speed a little. It actually improved the mowing performance quite a bit. Regarding the carb diaphragm, I believe that the note card the new diaphragm was attached to provided the installation procedure to ensure that the choke opens faster/better. Going off of memory, I think it states that the mounting screws are to be left loose, then put something in the top of carb to hold the choke open fully as you then tighten the mounting screws. Thanks for consistently providing new content every Thursday. I really look forward to watching each week.
Another great project. Thanks James. One point regarding o-rings. I spent 40 years designing products that used o-rings. Lubrication is imperative. Just a light coating of lube allows the o-ring to slide into place without rolling or pinching. And, more lube does not mean it seals better. Just enough for installation.
The date code you found didn't surprise me at all. I bought a Rally mower with the 3.5 HP Briggs engine in the early 90's (I think it was around 1994) virtually identical to that one except it was red instead of green. Other than the color, mine was absolutely identical. It worked great the entire time I had it, probably 7-8 years. Loved those old B&S flat heads. I only replaced it because I wanted a self propelled mower with electric start and a bag. Thanks for the walk down memory lane. 😊
That mower is a "blast from the past" for me. I bought one at Caldor back in the early 90's for $99. I needed the engine for a nicer mower deck that I was given. Those engines were made forever and will run forever if you change the oil. It is as basic as a mower can be and I am glad someone is getting some use out of it.
I had a Rally mower very similar to this but with a red deck. It was even more basic with a primer bulb instead of a choke, no adjustable speed control, and the handle bolted directly to the deck. I bought it new in 1993 for about 90$ as a mover for our first house with a postage stamp sized yard. I had and used that mower until 2013 when the deck rusted away so bad that the wheels fell off. The motor was still perfect and started every time on the first pull. I only changed the oil, air filter and sparkplug. I never had to clean the carbonator, or do anything to the ignition. I think that era of B&S engine is a great example of a simple design, well executed. It was more reliable than older B&S engines I had because it had an electronic spark rather than machinal points that would need occasional filing. Great video as always!
There are a few ads for this model of lawnmower used going back to 1996. So if it were being sold used in 1996 for a low price, it's probably from the 70s or 80s. He didn't say how long his friend owned the house, but there is a good chance that this thing never had ethanol fuel in it. Ethanol draws in water from the atmosphere, it then sinks to the bottom because it is denser than gasoline and the water rusts the bottom of the tank. The owner may have just taken good care of it and emptied it every year.
Most Briggs' flathead engines are very solid. When maintained, they'll run forever. Even when not maintained (like James' example), they'll still run. The weak spot on this engine (to me) is the Pulsa-Jet carb.
We used the Kmart mowers for years. Change the oil and spark plug on a yearly maintenance schedule. Change the blade and plastic wheels when they are bad. Clean the underside of grass clippings then spray some silicone lube on the deck. We got a rider and I don't know what happened to push mower. We still have the roto tiller. It's green also. This just brings back memories,thanks.
My favorite mechanic does it again. Glad it didn’t turn out to be a clunker. My son will get a real kick out of watching this later today. Good job, my friend.
I've have this same setup albeit a Murray circa 1990. This little trim mower has earned a place in the garage forever. I've got a newer trim mower that is not robust as the Briggs, but it's lighter. This video has inspired me to rebuild/restore this old mower just for display. They don't make them like that anymore. Never fails to start on the first pull.
Thanks! My dad and I rebuilt one much like this in the early 70's, though it did have a metal carb. My brother and I mowed 2 acres with it weekly for a few summers to make spending money. It never faltered.
I mowed many a yard with one of those old flat tops. So reliable. FYI, the air filter should be mounted with the bevels facing forward to allow room for the blower cover and access to the gas cap (OCD - I know...). Another great episode Jim!
Growing up in the 80’s and 90’s these were always in the garbage. That’s what got me into fixing mowers and all types of small engine equipment. Then I got a job in a mower shop for a couple years during highschool. You never forget how to work on these little things.
I used to have a nearly identical one to that (Sears) from my late grandfather, which died on me. I had no idea how to fix it, and the guy I took it to that supposedly could, couldn't... So it ended up at the curb.. Today that would never happen. This brought back a lot of memories. I had it for almost 8 years before it finally stopped running. I couldn't get it to start... It's sad, and I still look for one of those mowers again. Thanks for bringing back some fond memories. I really enjoyed using that mower.
Just two little things here James: the airfilter goes on the other way around, an extremely common mistake. Also that intake tube should not have any play in it, if it does, it´s sucking air which makes a stable rpm and good carb adjustment difficult. As the mixture varies with the height of the fuel in the tank, Briggs&Stratton recommends to adjust the carb when the tank is filled two thirds.
I agree with your two points about the air filter and intake tube. The tube is just press fit and can be tapped in gently with a soft mallet to make it tight again.
What a star. I gave this vid a like. My friends from schooldays in the 80's had one of them in a South African Rolux Magnum Lawnmower. Great US easy to operate and reliable so even our children can start it, and cut his dads lawn. Cheap labourers we were as kids. AAAAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhh, the good old days.... re
The loose intake manifold you found at the beginning of video is loose and keeping engine from starting in 1 pull. Also, there’s a gasket on intake manifold where the 2 bolts attach to intake. Enjoy your videos very much. Like the generator repair video also. Thanks.
I had a 1969 mtd lawnmower. Again a 3.5 hp brigs. It actually had a ring gear pull start. No blade brake, but it did have 4 independent wheel adjusters. I got it from my Dad, used it in the early 1980's for my lawn cutting business. I always changed the oil twice a season, and fuel at end if cutting season was always removed. 👍👍👍👍
I had a mower with the same engine. It ran and ran until the body disintergrated. I patched it with fibreglass and ran it some more. I sold it last year to a guy who has been using it ever since. He's made one 'new' machine from an old one using the same engine. Its a good as the day I bought it 20 years ago!
James, as a lawn mower mechanic in my youth I can testify that those Briggs engines will last forever if reasonably maintained. At 34 that one supports my thesis. Cool video bringing back memories of my first job 1957-66 (high school through college).
Happy Independence day to all you in the US. I would have had a beer now, with my wife being a US citizen, unfortunately; it's hard 4 me to be joyful now;;; I lost her in an accident when she was pregnant with my child. A child that would have been in their 20's now. Good luck all US, we genuinely love you, and celebrate safely.. RE
James just wanted to say inside of the tank there is a second bowl that you don’t see what is in there that carburetor works with a vacuum that pulls fuel from the long tube but also has a small tank that is what the little small hole is with the track on it on the top of the tank and when the butterfly on the choke vibrates back-and-forth from from Vacuum running through it. It actually works as a pump. They call it a pulsating pump, but you did a good job. Just thought I would tell you the information about that. I know I’ve worked on these things back in the day. Just thought I would share a little bit of information I know about these type of car, the small square goes on the door that covers the arm pretty much everything there all should go in the carburetor. It is a very simple carburetor, though enjoyed watching the video and the way you were explaining things always great hearing from you.😊
Wow. That was a fast 58 minutes. Excellent accompaniment while I brought a Sears Craftsman Tecumseh powered 4 HP back to life with a carb clean, new used coil, an oil change and blade sharpening. Excellent content James! Thank you.
I had a craftsman 4hp tecumseh front wheel drive, magnesium deck, mowed peoples yards with it till compression was gone. Bought it used $50 had for 15 years never failed till it died.
I'll bet that mower was 'parked' when they were unable to find a replacement blade. It's always nice to come across something old that needs little beyond some routine maintenance and a bit of 'buff and shine'!
That and the crappy carb design. I never really understood why Briggs uses plastic carbs. Oh, and plastic carbs that contain rubber...you know, that stuff that reacts quite a bit to gasoline, especially zero Ethanol. That's why you have to replace the diaphragm and o-rings so often on these things and why parts are available. It's like the Gillette shaver or inkjet printer conundrum or why vacuum cleaners with bags are fairly high maintenance, they make money on these things in the form of consumables.
I am new to the channel and have been binge watching since. I have this particular Rally mower in my barn and I don't currently use it. I kept it mostly for nostalgic reasons and the fact that the engine still runs very well but the wheel supports in the back rusted out. I saw you repair this issue on another mower but I don't have the skills or the tools. Bless you for resurrecting these old mowers.
Those Briggs and Stratton engines are bullet proof. Great job on sorting this mower out. OMG - that old blade - a KILLER ! Thanks for the video - take care 🙂
I believe your air filter is 180 degrees off. The angled ends of air filter the way you have it mounted are facing the rear of mower they should be facing the front of mower. When turned around mold up nicely against the angled area of engine shroud and actually fit better against engine shroud.. I had these type engines when i was a kid and mowed yards in the 70s. My dad put me in vocational school small engines at night with old guys that is the type engine I first rebuilt. The carbs used to be a little different and the choke was mechanically activated with no diaphragm or spring but other than that looked to be the same. They also had points and condensers.
I am amazed that you managed to source parts for that. All done in the usual excellent manner. Whoever owns that will be very pleased, I'm sure. Great to watch, no change there :)
I was a Seasonal Dept Section Manager at a Rickle Home Center in NJ 1985-1986 timeframe. In our store we sold a ton of those Roper Rally walk behind mowers. Simple and dependable machines.
Leaving this as an overall comment about your channel. Thank you James for producing high quality videos. I always look forward to your content. Very logical diagnostics, very well done.
James, in order for the carb choke to work correctly, the air cleaner bolt, MUST, be installed and screwed down in to the carburetor. That's why you didn't see it pull down upon first start up. I still have a Rally from 1990 in storage. Still starts on first or second pull no matter how long it sits. When Briggs made good engines lol. Hope this helps.
Wow !!! Does that bring back memories of working on that style of engine AND 1990!! 34 YEARS... It sure held up well till today. The only two things that hamper that engine was Timing sheer pin and rod knock which I can hear abit - but still Thats great that you are still able to get it to run again. Wayda go BRIGGS!! you made to last...
The only critical thing I have to say is you put the air cleaner housing on backwards. The angled sides are there to clear the cowl (blower) housing. Otherwise nice find and rebuild. 🙂
Old school Briggs. I worked at a mower shop back in the mid 1980’s. Those old L head Briggs motors were great engines. Emission standards made them obsolete.
Very ASMR relaxing watching on this sunday afternoon. I learned some too - harbor freight ultrsonic cleaner - plus + the thing called "fluid film" never heard of fluid film never knew how good the ultrasonic cleaner works! One criticism - Paint the darn carb back black when you had it off - also - paint the darn gas tank and cap. Looks like junk white plastic and red cap. I woulda set idle lower rpm. I used to be able to count the explosions it idled so low
Happy Independence Day! When I saw the mower I kinda figured it was something from the 1990's era. A 1970's mower would not have a handle brake mechanism, nor would it have a longer handle-style recoil rope. Still has a non-accommodative mowing height. I hope your carb kit wasn't expensive. Not sure there's too many people who'd want to buy a mower like that.
A trick on those auto-choke briggs is to tip the mower up on the back wheels to about 45 degrees for a few seconds before trying to start it. This primes the carb and it will usually fire up on the first pull, Otherwise it takes 2 or three pulls to draw fuel up from the tank On Some of them, you need to reinstall the air cleaner bolt or it wont run very well without the air filter.
I love seeing the old machines running again. I’ve got a 1980s chipper with an 8.5hp B&S motor. Always hard to start. Governor is not working. You make these repairs look simple but all I did was put a new carb on it and no help. Still like to get it running. I need your skills. 😊
Ah - Highschool flashbacks to the lawnmower shop I spent a summer in. I remember these carb/tank combos and having to check the flatness of the tank top when it sealed with the carb. Sometimes if the tank was a bit low and not perfectly flat across, the rebuild kits came with little teflon shims you could add to complete the fuel intake seal.
I had a Rally mower. If I'm not mistaken I bought it at Kmart years ago. Same engine and deck but mine was red. Best mower I ever owned. Started up every mowing season. The only thing I hated was the non adjustable deck height on mine.
I have an old mower little like this. I've had it years. I bought used for like 20 $. It starts first pull almost always. No stupid bubble. I just do normal maintenance. If it blew up tomorrow id still love it. I had a weedeater brand mower with the push button that didn't last 2 or 3 seasons. Junk. Pex
Those Rally mowers were well built machines using steel where plastic became the material in later lesser machines. The Classic Briggs is a solid performer. With regular maintenance, the original owner’s grandchildren could successfully use the mower. Great save James. It is a beautiful machine. Flathead Briggs forever; Chinesium never!
There is a procedure for refitting the main jet, pressing it in using shaped steel washer not using the jet adjusting screw. Worth a look at the shop manual. They suggest using an old dip stick tube to compress it. Also the intake tube should be a firm press fit into the end fitting on the cylinder. A drop of Loctite retainer is useful. The two bolts that hold the intake adaptor to the cylinder tend to work loose and destroy the gasket if left loose.
I got a similar mower with the same engine from the side of the road. The same bolt was missing from the fuel tank on that one, too! I cleaned it up, cleaned the carb, new blade, new spark plug, and it runs great. TIP: Fluid Film is great for treating the undercarriage but it is expensive. I brush on Bar & Chain oil as an alternative rusty metal protectant. I have also applied used engine oil to my lawn mover undercarriages.
As you stated these older mowers tend to be fairly simple. What comes with that is light in weight and easy to handle. The cut looked pretty good to. Thanks James..
I love that little dental instrument. Probably German made w ultra strong steel. I had one on every one of my surgical trays. Multiple uses for many situations in my surgical nasal and sinus procedures. The dentists use the same tool to clean hard plaque off of your teeth. Also, really enjoy your descriptions of the older engines and their parts. Over time, I am learning of the modernization/evolution of small engines. That "little' mower would have been "perfect" for small "urban" lawns.
As always great video James. 👍 Based on the comments the affect is the same when it comes to Briggs & Stratton, and childhood memories-70's, 80's or 90's. I love these reactions-clearly little boys never forget getting, or building their first [or last], mini-bike or go-cart. *Have a great 4th. God bless.*
Another defective one bites the dust, JC saved it!!! 🤗🤗🤗🤗 A good ole Brigg & Stratton 3.5hp.😁 Had one of these, for 40 years. Was still working fine when I finally decided to buy a Honda powered Husqvarna 6.5 HP lawnmower, two years ago, I put the old one on the front of my house, with the mention ''You need it, you take it''. 30 minutes after, it was gone. I'm pretty sure it still works. 😁
I probably mowed a few thousand acres of grass with mowers that had those old flat head Briggs engines on them, they would run forever. I was surprised when you said that the tanks weren't available anymore, Briggs probably made a few hundred million of those engines over the years, but maybe they didn't rust out like the modern junk does. One more thing, the government didn't mandate those blade brakes until 1983/84 time frame, just in time for me to buy my first house and obligatory cheap Walmart mower like you just showcased.
air filter cover needs turned 180 degrees , before tightening the carb to the tank you need to hook-up the choke to the diaphragm then close the choke all the way and tighten the carb screws 😁
I have a 40 year old Little Wonder edger with a similar B&S engine bought new. Never cleaned the carb & never used fuel preserver. Runs like a champ. I suppose the carb being on top the gas tank makes a big difference for carb preservation over time.
There are still lines that run to the bottom of the tank to suck fuel.water/dirt up into the built in "bowl" at the top of the tank right under the jets... so you have been good and refueling cleanly for 40 years!
Everyone who does their own yard work, should have a basic mower like this....not complicated... great for tight areas. Great fix James...as usual....Happy 4ht of July
Hi James, nice expose' as usual. I wanted to tell you that when I was young, Briggs began to source the crankcase breather air from the choke well. Befor that it just vented to atmosphere and there was a mesh inside the breather cover for a filter media. I wasn't much concerned when I discovered it because I figured they were just trying to do a better job of finding filtered air by getting it thru the air cleaner. But, I had previously experienced oil coming out of the breather cover at times. Then one day, a friend of mine came over on his Minibike. His engine was a 3-1/2hp Briggs with the large gas tank. We did something to his carb and gas tank, and when we reassembled everything he called the crankcase vent that went into the choke well a "choke oiler." I laughed, and he said what? I told him the choke didn't need oiling, the only reason there was oil on the choke slide was because he probably overfilled the crankcase with oil and coming over at full throttle probably pushed a little oil out. We did not have governors on our Go-Karts and Minibikes so when we ran them at full throttle they were revving way beyond rated speed of 3600 rpm. I concur with @aboveaveragejoe6291, those flathead Briggs were very reliable, in fact I'd go so far as to say indestructible. Imagine a 5hp Briggs with no governor pushing a Minibike or Go-Kart at 45 to 50 mph using a 4.10" X 3.50" X 5" or 6" wheel with a 5 to 1 or a 6 to 1 gear ratio. The engine had to be revving over 5,000 rpm and we did it all the time. The only thing we ever broke was the splasher. Briggs had a sheet metal affair for a splasher and we used to break them off from the vibration at such high rpm. Our fix was a coat hanger wire with a loop fashioned on one end that went between the bolt for the piston rod cap and the cap. At just about 1-1/4" in length it dipped into the oil. Very simple, but very effective. They never broke and we never had any kind of issue with scoring crank pins or piston scuff. Abuse? Yes! But they lived and lived and lived. Thanks for reminding me of a smidgeon of my childhood growing up in the suburbs of The Motor City. A "Choke Oiler," indeed. Ha Ha, it still makes me laugh. ben/ michigan
Those old mowers worked pretty well. I started mowing the grass when I was 7 or 8, and used one like it. It was probably from the late 60s and had a Briggs engine with the wind up spring starter, which is what allowed me to use it at such a young age. i would not have been able to start it with a pull cord at such a young age. The wheels were probably the only thing made of plastic on that mower.
great job there I haven't seen a Rally mower since I flipped one many years ago. I think they were sold at Service Merchandise (defunced) I think the air filter orientation is backwards , but I could be wrong. it really doesn't matter it will still function fine. I have never seen one of these chok-a-matic, always the primer ones, It should be possible to replace the tank and carb to one of the primer ones for this engine. I know they dont make these flat head engines anymore too bad they were reliable. EPA rules I guess.
This particular Briggs and Stratton engine is funny about running without the air cleaner...specifically, the air cleaner bolt, which goes through the choke plate. Always put that bolt back when the air cleaner is off for best results. Also the air cleaner is on backwards, the knocked off corner is meant to give clearance for the flywheel bulge in the fan shroud
My father -in-law had one like that one for years. It never failed to start. His kids bought him a new one with a bagger, but he hated emptying the bag. He gave me the new one and started using the old one again. It was much lighter to push and didn't need to be emptied all the time.
Wow, the fuel tank was super clean. Considering it sat in that barn for who knows how long starting on the third pull is pretty amazing. Kind of makes me think that plastic carburetor which I would have guessed was a crappy alternative. Actually might be a positive. It mitigates a lot of the aluminum oxide and corrosion problems you would find on other carbs. I would say having it crack easily would be its major weakness. Considering it's 35 years old and still worked is kind of a testament to the design. It's definitely the epitome of keep it absolutely simple. I'm sure it's not that powerful maybe doesn't regulate as flawlessly. But it also started on the third freaking pull, and seemingly does that consistently. Probably needs a few rotations for the pulse to get the fuel to get sucked up in there. I mean this thing doesn't have a fuel pump or anything and it just works.
Always with one of these pulsa carbs fill the fuel tank to overflowing at the mouth of the filler. This soaks the diaphragm softening it and pre fills all the jets.... First pull starts are normal that way...
Lol. A few months ago, my mom told me that her riding mower wasn't doing a pretty cut. When I changed the blades the other day, all four ends were worse than the bad end of this blade. There was almost no cutting surface left on either blade. I'm surprised it was cutting at all. I hung them on the wall in my shop.
Hi James, thanks for another great video. But you were making me chew the keyboard in frustration, always a good idea to check for a bent crankshaft first (though that one looked straight when you turned it), then i guess those plastic carbs are the same as the alloy ones where you should flip the choke plate over centre before tightening the carb too tank screws to allow the diaphragm some free movement to turn off the choke. the speed adjustment is done by twisting that little upright piece not bending the whole top of the bracket backwards and finally please put the air box on the right way around before my head pops! 🙂
Briggs was making that engine style with a metal carb body in 1970. My brother sold his mower it to a friend in 1990 and he used it at his cottage until about 2000. Never serviced the carburator in all that time.
Same engine as was on my grandfathers
lawn mower❤️
Me running at the age of 9 in 1980🥰 I remember the gas was light Brown then! With like a blue shine… Man that was sweet days!
And the gas smelled wonderful !!
One of my favorite engines thanks! Turn the air filter assembly around 180 degrees. It will fit like a puzzle piece and look so nice and give more room for fueling.
I was just going to write the same thing!
I have the MTD-branded version of this same mower. Got it used from a friend many years ago, and found that it didn't have enough power to keep up with an overgrown property I used it on. Ended up removing some material from the head with a belt sander to increase the compression and also increased the speed a little. It actually improved the mowing performance quite a bit.
Regarding the carb diaphragm, I believe that the note card the new diaphragm was attached to provided the installation procedure to ensure that the choke opens faster/better. Going off of memory, I think it states that the mounting screws are to be left loose, then put something in the top of carb to hold the choke open fully as you then tighten the mounting screws.
Thanks for consistently providing new content every Thursday. I really look forward to watching each week.
Lololo I feel 16 again working at western auto repair 😅
I thank my Father for teaching me to be a mechanic 😊and able to still do it I Thank God❤
Thanks 🙏 for creating such great content and for your encouragement and support of my efforts to restore old and abandoned mowers.
Thanks, I appreciate it.
Another great project. Thanks James. One point regarding o-rings. I spent 40 years designing products that used o-rings. Lubrication is imperative. Just a light coating of lube allows the o-ring to slide into place without rolling or pinching. And, more lube does not mean it seals better. Just enough for installation.
The date code you found didn't surprise me at all. I bought a Rally mower with the 3.5 HP Briggs engine in the early 90's (I think it was around 1994) virtually identical to that one except it was red instead of green. Other than the color, mine was absolutely identical. It worked great the entire time I had it, probably 7-8 years. Loved those old B&S flat heads. I only replaced it because I wanted a self propelled mower with electric start and a bag. Thanks for the walk down memory lane. 😊
That mower is a "blast from the past" for me. I bought one at Caldor back in the early 90's for $99. I needed the engine for a nicer mower deck that I was given. Those engines were made forever and will run forever if you change the oil. It is as basic as a mower can be and I am glad someone is getting some use out of it.
I had a Rally mower very similar to this but with a red deck. It was even more basic with a primer bulb instead of a choke, no adjustable speed control, and the handle bolted directly to the deck. I bought it new in 1993 for about 90$ as a mover for our first house with a postage stamp sized yard. I had and used that mower until 2013 when the deck rusted away so bad that the wheels fell off. The motor was still perfect and started every time on the first pull. I only changed the oil, air filter and sparkplug. I never had to clean the carbonator, or do anything to the ignition. I think that era of B&S engine is a great example of a simple design, well executed. It was more reliable than older B&S engines I had because it had an electronic spark rather than machinal points that would need occasional filing. Great video as always!
I certainly didn’t expect the inside of that tank to be in such spotless condition. I was certainly surprised.
Probably never seen ethanol in its whole life. Got barned before it became wide spread.
There are a few ads for this model of lawnmower used going back to 1996. So if it were being sold used in 1996 for a low price, it's probably from the 70s or 80s.
He didn't say how long his friend owned the house, but there is a good chance that this thing never had ethanol fuel in it. Ethanol draws in water from the atmosphere, it then sinks to the bottom because it is denser than gasoline and the water rusts the bottom of the tank. The owner may have just taken good care of it and emptied it every year.
It's an aluminum tank
That mower will probably outlast the new ones. Thanks Jim!
Those 3.5 hp classic engines are probably the most reliable small engine that has ever been made.
After the Honda G150!
Most Briggs' flathead engines are very solid. When maintained, they'll run forever. Even when not maintained (like James' example), they'll still run. The weak spot on this engine (to me) is the Pulsa-Jet carb.
I would say Honda's small engines are even better, but it has to be the original Japanese engines, not the cheap Chinese/Vietnamese knock-offs.
I agree they don't make to last any more.and c those compression release mechanism these proven to break
Not sure to Rebuild the Carb if it ran ok.
After all it might be stiff.
MY FATHER USE TO SAY IF IT AN,T broken don't fix it
We used the Kmart mowers for years. Change the oil and spark plug on a yearly maintenance schedule. Change the blade and plastic wheels when they are bad. Clean the underside of grass clippings then spray some silicone lube on the deck. We got a rider and I don't know what happened to push mower. We still have the roto tiller. It's green also. This just brings back memories,thanks.
My favorite mechanic does it again. Glad it didn’t turn out to be a clunker. My son will get a real kick out of watching this later today. Good job, my friend.
Thanks Paul and that’s for the mower.
I've have this same setup albeit a Murray circa 1990. This little trim mower has earned a place in the garage forever. I've got a newer trim mower that is not robust as the Briggs, but it's lighter. This video has inspired me to rebuild/restore this old mower just for display. They don't make them like that anymore. Never fails to start on the first pull.
Briggs L head. One of the most reliable engines ever made. Good Job keeping it out of the land fill!
Thanks! My dad and I rebuilt one much like this in the early 70's, though it did have a metal carb. My brother and I mowed 2 acres with it weekly for a few summers to make spending money. It never faltered.
I mowed many a yard with one of those old flat tops. So reliable. FYI, the air filter should be mounted with the bevels facing forward to allow room for the blower cover and access to the gas cap (OCD - I know...). Another great episode Jim!
Growing up in the 80’s and 90’s these were always in the garbage. That’s what got me into fixing mowers and all types of small engine equipment. Then I got a job in a mower shop for a couple years during highschool. You never forget how to work on these little things.
How much of a difference is there in Murray , Yard Machine or Troy Built verses Toro ,Lawn boy , or Honda ?.
I used to have a nearly identical one to that (Sears) from my late grandfather, which died on me. I had no idea how to fix it, and the guy I took it to that supposedly could, couldn't...
So it ended up at the curb..
Today that would never happen. This brought back a lot of memories. I had it for almost 8 years before it finally stopped running.
I couldn't get it to start... It's sad, and I still look for one of those mowers again.
Thanks for bringing back some fond memories. I really enjoyed using that mower.
Just two little things here James: the airfilter goes on the other way around, an extremely common mistake. Also that intake tube should not have any play in it, if it does, it´s sucking air which makes a stable rpm and good carb adjustment difficult. As the mixture varies with the height of the fuel in the tank, Briggs&Stratton recommends to adjust the carb when the tank is filled two thirds.
I agree with your two points about the air filter and intake tube. The tube is just press fit and can be tapped in gently with a soft mallet to make it tight again.
What a star. I gave this vid a like. My friends from schooldays in the 80's had one of them in a South African Rolux Magnum Lawnmower. Great US easy to operate and reliable so even our children can start it, and cut his dads lawn. Cheap labourers we were as kids. AAAAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhh, the good old days.... re
SAFA's Rule!
You just can't beat a good old Briggs flathead, very nice work reviving this vintage mower James!
Thanks
Those are not that difficult to get running.if engine is okay
He's a good teacher
Those things are really bullet proof man they are such good engines!!
Brings me back to the days I mowed people's lawns as a kid. I had as much fun watching the restoration as you did doing the work.
The loose intake manifold you found at the beginning of video is loose and keeping engine from starting in 1 pull. Also, there’s a gasket on intake manifold where the 2 bolts attach to intake. Enjoy your videos very much. Like the generator repair video also. Thanks.
I have lots of those in the works
North of you they have consumables for that mower in some of the local auto parts stores happy you did this rescue thanks🎉🎉😊😊
I had a 1969 mtd lawnmower. Again a 3.5 hp brigs. It actually had a ring gear pull start. No blade brake, but it did have 4 independent wheel adjusters. I got it from my Dad, used it in the early 1980's for my lawn cutting business. I always changed the oil twice a season, and fuel at end if cutting season was always removed. 👍👍👍👍
I had a mower with the same engine. It ran and ran until the body disintergrated. I patched it with fibreglass and ran it some more. I sold it last year to a guy who has been using it ever since. He's made one 'new' machine from an old one using the same engine. Its a good as the day I bought it 20 years ago!
Grandfather's axe.
My father replaced the head and I replaced the handle...
@@JohnSmith-pl2bk I've used my grandfathers broom for years three new heads and two handles. Still as good as new!
James, as a lawn mower mechanic in my youth I can testify that those Briggs engines will last forever if reasonably maintained. At 34 that one supports my thesis. Cool video bringing back memories of my first job 1957-66 (high school through college).
Happy Independence day to all you in the US. I would have had a beer now, with my wife being a US citizen, unfortunately; it's hard 4 me to be joyful now;;; I lost her in an accident when she was pregnant with my child. A child that would have been in their 20's now. Good luck all US, we genuinely love you, and celebrate safely.. RE
Independence from what /?/(?/
James just wanted to say inside of the tank there is a second bowl that you don’t see what is in there that carburetor works with a vacuum that pulls fuel from the long tube but also has a small tank that is what the little small hole is with the track on it on the top of the tank and when the butterfly on the choke vibrates back-and-forth from from Vacuum running through it. It actually works as a pump. They call it a pulsating pump, but you did a good job. Just thought I would tell you the information about that. I know I’ve worked on these things back in the day. Just thought I would share a little bit of information I know about these type of car, the small square goes on the door that covers the arm pretty much everything there all should go in the carburetor. It is a very simple carburetor, though enjoyed watching the video and the way you were explaining things always great hearing from you.😊
Very informative. Methodical in presentation. Outstanding work.
Thank you very much!
Wow. That was a fast 58 minutes. Excellent accompaniment while I brought a Sears Craftsman Tecumseh powered 4 HP back to life with a carb clean, new used coil, an oil change and blade sharpening. Excellent content James! Thank you.
I had a craftsman 4hp tecumseh front wheel drive, magnesium deck, mowed peoples yards with it till compression was gone. Bought it used $50 had for 15 years never failed till it died.
I'll bet that mower was 'parked' when they were unable to find a replacement blade. It's always nice to come across something old that needs little beyond some routine maintenance and a bit of 'buff and shine'!
That and the crappy carb design. I never really understood why Briggs uses plastic carbs. Oh, and plastic carbs that contain rubber...you know, that stuff that reacts quite a bit to gasoline, especially zero Ethanol. That's why you have to replace the diaphragm and o-rings so often on these things and why parts are available. It's like the Gillette shaver or inkjet printer conundrum or why vacuum cleaners with bags are fairly high maintenance, they make money on these things in the form of consumables.
That machine was _clean_, from the tank to the blower housing! From the first third pull start I was hooked.
I am new to the channel and have been binge watching since. I have this particular Rally mower in my barn and I don't currently use it. I kept it mostly for nostalgic reasons and the fact that the engine still runs very well but the wheel supports in the back rusted out. I saw you repair this issue on another mower but I don't have the skills or the tools. Bless you for resurrecting these old mowers.
The way you were holding the probe to clean the screw heads you a dentist in real life.
👍👍
Those Briggs and Stratton engines are bullet proof. Great job on sorting this mower out. OMG - that old blade - a KILLER ! Thanks for the video - take care 🙂
I believe your air filter is 180 degrees off. The angled ends of air filter the way you have it mounted are facing the rear of mower they should be facing the front of mower. When turned around mold up nicely against the angled area of engine shroud and actually fit better against engine shroud.. I had these type engines when i was a kid and mowed yards in the 70s. My dad put me in vocational school small engines at night with old guys that is the type engine I first rebuilt. The carbs used to be a little different and the choke was mechanically activated with no diaphragm or spring but other than that looked to be the same. They also had points and condensers.
Awesome dad for fixing up a mower For his kid.
Those old 3.5 B&S don't die. I've got one from the 1980'same that still runs great. All I've replaced is filter, oil, carb diaphragm's and gasket.
I am amazed that you managed to source parts for that. All done in the usual excellent manner. Whoever owns that will be very pleased, I'm sure. Great to watch, no change there :)
I was a Seasonal Dept Section Manager at a Rickle Home Center in NJ 1985-1986 timeframe. In our store we sold a ton of those Roper Rally walk behind mowers. Simple and dependable machines.
Put the whole gas-tank in the ultrasonic LOL! great show!
Leaving this as an overall comment about your channel.
Thank you James for producing high quality videos. I always look forward to your content. Very logical diagnostics, very well done.
Thanks
James, in order for the carb choke to work correctly, the air cleaner bolt, MUST, be installed and screwed down in to the carburetor. That's why you didn't see it pull down upon first start up. I still have a Rally from 1990 in storage. Still starts on first or second pull no matter how long it sits. When Briggs made good engines lol. Hope this helps.
Wow !!! Does that bring back memories of working on that style of engine AND 1990!! 34 YEARS... It sure held up well till today. The only two things that hamper that engine was Timing sheer pin and rod knock which I can hear abit - but still Thats great that you are still able to get it to run again.
Wayda go BRIGGS!! you made to last...
Those things are awesome. Keep the oil filled, change the carb diaphragm every so often, they never die.
The only critical thing I have to say is you put the air cleaner housing on backwards. The angled sides are there to clear the cowl (blower) housing. Otherwise nice find and rebuild. 🙂
Old school Briggs. I worked at a mower shop back in the mid 1980’s. Those old L head Briggs motors were great engines. Emission standards made them obsolete.
Very ASMR relaxing watching on this sunday afternoon. I learned some too - harbor freight ultrsonic cleaner - plus + the thing called "fluid film" never heard of fluid film never knew how good the ultrasonic cleaner works! One criticism - Paint the darn carb back black when you had it off - also - paint the darn gas tank and cap. Looks like junk white plastic and red cap. I woulda set idle lower rpm. I used to be able to count the explosions it idled so low
Happy Independence Day! When I saw the mower I kinda figured it was something from the 1990's era. A 1970's mower would not have a handle brake mechanism, nor would it have a longer handle-style recoil rope. Still has a non-accommodative mowing height. I hope your carb kit wasn't expensive. Not sure there's too many people who'd want to buy a mower like that.
Ideal for farm around the yard under the fences use?
Prolly cost less than $13.
Those old flatheads will run forever
I was justgoing to say that. It will outlast any of the crap made today.
Yes! Why they went to OHV I'll never know. Too many problems with them.
@@transmitterguy478 OHV engines achieve higher performance and their fuel consumption is lower, and the exhaust emissions are also better.
@@transmitterguy478 Had Briggs used decent quality parts on their OHV engines instead of plastic cam gears et al, they'd be a lot better.
EPA @@transmitterguy478
Excellent job on a great little mower, this reminded to to order a new blade for mine, someone got a good machine
A trick on those auto-choke briggs is to tip the mower up on the back wheels to about 45 degrees for a few seconds before trying to start it. This primes the carb and it will usually fire up on the first pull, Otherwise it takes 2 or three pulls to draw fuel up from the tank
On Some of them, you need to reinstall the air cleaner bolt or it wont run very well without the air filter.
I love seeing the old machines running again. I’ve got a 1980s chipper with an 8.5hp B&S motor. Always hard to start. Governor is not working. You make these repairs look simple but all I did was put a new carb on it and no help. Still like to get it running. I need your skills. 😊
Super nice as always! Thank-you!
I'd say that the original red cap says, flammable! Danger!
Ah - Highschool flashbacks to the lawnmower shop I spent a summer in. I remember these carb/tank combos and having to check the flatness of the tank top when it sealed with the carb. Sometimes if the tank was a bit low and not perfectly flat across, the rebuild kits came with little teflon shims you could add to complete the fuel intake seal.
I had a Rally mower. If I'm not mistaken I bought it at Kmart years ago. Same engine and deck but mine was red. Best mower I ever owned. Started up every mowing season. The only thing I hated was the non adjustable deck height on mine.
Now that's a proper diamond in the rough, and a simple fix too boot.
I have an old mower little like this. I've had it years. I bought used for like 20 $. It starts first pull almost always. No stupid bubble. I just do normal maintenance. If it blew up tomorrow id still love it. I had a weedeater brand mower with the push button that didn't last 2 or 3 seasons. Junk. Pex
Its a classic, thumbs up great video
Nicely done James. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
i use to work on these engines all the time and working on these are what i did for a living for 2 years
Those Rally mowers were well built machines using steel where plastic became the material in later lesser machines. The Classic Briggs is a solid performer. With regular maintenance, the original owner’s grandchildren could successfully use the mower. Great save James. It is a beautiful machine. Flathead Briggs forever; Chinesium never!
Blessings to you and family,most joyest 4th of July 🎉🎉😊😊
There is a procedure for refitting the main jet, pressing it in using shaped steel washer not using the jet adjusting screw. Worth a look at the shop manual. They suggest using an old dip stick tube to compress it. Also the intake tube should be a firm press fit into the end fitting on the cylinder. A drop of Loctite retainer is useful. The two bolts that hold the intake adaptor to the cylinder tend to work loose and destroy the gasket if left loose.
I got a similar mower with the same engine from the side of the road. The same bolt was missing from the fuel tank on that one, too! I cleaned it up, cleaned the carb, new blade, new spark plug, and it runs great. TIP: Fluid Film is great for treating the undercarriage but it is expensive. I brush on Bar & Chain oil as an alternative rusty metal protectant. I have also applied used engine oil to my lawn mover undercarriages.
As you stated these older mowers tend to be fairly simple. What comes with that is light in weight and easy to handle. The cut looked pretty good to. Thanks James..
I had a blast from the past when you took that engine apart I remember the 1st mower when I was a kid had the motor on it. Wow
I love that little dental instrument. Probably German made w ultra strong steel. I had one on every one of my surgical trays. Multiple uses for many situations in my surgical nasal and sinus procedures. The dentists use the same tool to clean hard plaque off of your teeth.
Also, really enjoy your descriptions of the older engines and their parts. Over time, I am learning of the modernization/evolution of small engines. That "little' mower would have been "perfect" for small "urban" lawns.
As always great video James. 👍 Based on the comments the affect is the same when it comes to Briggs & Stratton, and childhood memories-70's, 80's or 90's.
I love these reactions-clearly little boys never forget getting, or building their first [or last], mini-bike or go-cart. *Have a great 4th. God bless.*
That machine will do somebody with kids or a small garden ! Great video James
Another defective one bites the dust, JC saved it!!! 🤗🤗🤗🤗 A good ole Brigg & Stratton 3.5hp.😁 Had one of these, for 40 years. Was still working fine when I finally decided to buy a Honda powered Husqvarna 6.5 HP lawnmower, two years ago, I put the old one on the front of my house, with the mention ''You need it, you take it''. 30 minutes after, it was gone. I'm pretty sure it still works. 😁
I remember the Rally brand being sold at Caldor and Bradlees😅.Great job giving new life to an old classic.Happy 4th to you and your family. 🎉
Same to you!
Great seeing an old old mower getting a new start
This was the $39.99 K-mart special back in 1990. People used and abused these until they could afford a better mower
Probably worth more today than when it was new then.
In the 80 they were 89 every where and I bought 4 new ones every year to mow with and just kept stacking them in back of shop, got 6 stacks
Lololo
@@rimmersbryggeriI agree and I fix one or two a year to sale cheap for kids starting out
@@rimmersbryggeriThey were 79 in the 1970's because I bought one with my grandma for my lawn cutting business
Great work James, you are the master! I always learn something from your videos and am entertained too:)
I probably mowed a few thousand acres of grass with mowers that had those old flat head Briggs engines on them, they would run forever. I was surprised when you said that the tanks weren't available anymore, Briggs probably made a few hundred million of those engines over the years, but maybe they didn't rust out like the modern junk does.
One more thing, the government didn't mandate those blade brakes until 1983/84 time frame, just in time for me to buy my first house and obligatory cheap Walmart mower like you just showcased.
Yes, your governor spring is not the correct one. Good video!! Keep up the good work. I work one mowers & trimmers all the time.
air filter cover needs turned 180 degrees , before tightening the carb to the tank you need to hook-up the choke to the diaphragm then close the choke all the way and tighten the carb screws 😁
It's a super basic mower... but it gets the job done. Sometimes the simplicity of it leads to greater reliability.
You're killing me with the torque wrench on the blower housing
Make me laugh and smile 😊😊😊
I have a 40 year old Little Wonder edger with a similar B&S engine bought new. Never cleaned the carb & never used fuel preserver. Runs like a champ. I suppose the carb being on top the gas tank makes a big difference for carb preservation over time.
There are still lines that run to the bottom of the tank to suck fuel.water/dirt up into the built in "bowl" at the top of the tank right under the jets...
so you have been good and refueling cleanly for 40 years!
Everyone who does their own yard work, should have a basic mower like this....not complicated... great for tight areas. Great fix James...as usual....Happy 4ht of July
Thanks 👍
Hi James, nice expose' as usual. I wanted to tell you that when I was young, Briggs began to source the crankcase breather air from the choke well. Befor that it just vented to atmosphere and there was a mesh inside the breather cover for a filter media. I wasn't much concerned when I discovered it because I figured they were just trying to do a better job of finding filtered air by getting it thru the air cleaner. But, I had previously experienced oil coming out of the breather cover at times. Then one day, a friend of mine came over on his Minibike. His engine was a 3-1/2hp Briggs with the large gas tank. We did something to his carb and gas tank, and when we reassembled everything he called the crankcase vent that went into the choke well a "choke oiler." I laughed, and he said what? I told him the choke didn't need oiling, the only reason there was oil on the choke slide was because he probably overfilled the crankcase with oil and coming over at full throttle probably pushed a little oil out. We did not have governors on our Go-Karts and Minibikes so when we ran them at full throttle they were revving way beyond rated speed of 3600 rpm. I concur with @aboveaveragejoe6291, those flathead Briggs were very reliable, in fact I'd go so far as to say indestructible. Imagine a 5hp Briggs with no governor pushing a Minibike or Go-Kart at 45 to 50 mph using a 4.10" X 3.50" X 5" or 6" wheel with a 5 to 1 or a 6 to 1 gear ratio. The engine had to be revving over 5,000 rpm and we did it all the time. The only thing we ever broke was the splasher. Briggs had a sheet metal affair for a splasher and we used to break them off from the vibration at such high rpm. Our fix was a coat hanger wire with a loop fashioned on one end that went between the bolt for the piston rod cap and the cap. At just about 1-1/4" in length it dipped into the oil. Very simple, but very effective. They never broke and we never had any kind of issue with scoring crank pins or piston scuff. Abuse? Yes! But they lived and lived and lived. Thanks for reminding me of a smidgeon of my childhood growing up in the suburbs of The Motor City. A "Choke Oiler," indeed. Ha Ha, it still makes me laugh. ben/ michigan
That lawnmower reminds me of one that my dad purchased for me to cut the neighbor's lawns. He purchased it at Kmart for $35.00.
Wonderful! Keep those Briggs & Stratton flatheads going and videos coming!
Thanks, will do!
Those old mowers worked pretty well. I started mowing the grass when I was 7 or 8, and used one like it. It was probably from the late 60s and had a Briggs engine with the wind up spring starter, which is what allowed me to use it at such a young age. i would not have been able to start it with a pull cord at such a young age. The wheels were probably the only thing made of plastic on that mower.
Great troubleshooting and fix James 😊
great job there I haven't seen a Rally mower since I flipped one many years ago. I think they were sold at Service Merchandise (defunced) I think the air filter orientation is backwards , but I could be wrong. it really doesn't matter it will still function fine. I have never seen one of these chok-a-matic, always the primer ones, It should be possible to replace the tank and carb to one of the primer ones for this engine. I know they dont make these flat head engines anymore too bad they were reliable. EPA rules I guess.
This particular Briggs and Stratton engine is funny about running without the air cleaner...specifically, the air cleaner bolt, which goes through the choke plate. Always put that bolt back when the air cleaner is off for best results.
Also the air cleaner is on backwards, the knocked off corner is meant to give clearance for the flywheel bulge in the fan shroud
I still have a mover with the same engine. I got it free over 20 years ago. I changed the wheels. A friend of mine turned new axels for them.
My father -in-law had one like that one for years. It never failed to start. His kids bought him a new one with a bagger, but he hated emptying the bag. He gave me the new one and started using the old one again. It was much lighter to push and didn't need to be emptied all the time.
Thanks.
Wow, the fuel tank was super clean.
Considering it sat in that barn for who knows how long starting on the third pull is pretty amazing. Kind of makes me think that plastic carburetor which I would have guessed was a crappy alternative. Actually might be a positive. It mitigates a lot of the aluminum oxide and corrosion problems you would find on other carbs. I would say having it crack easily would be its major weakness.
Considering it's 35 years old and still worked is kind of a testament to the design. It's definitely the epitome of keep it absolutely simple. I'm sure it's not that powerful maybe doesn't regulate as flawlessly. But it also started on the third freaking pull, and seemingly does that consistently. Probably needs a few rotations for the pulse to get the fuel to get sucked up in there. I mean this thing doesn't have a fuel pump or anything and it just works.
Always with one of these pulsa carbs fill the fuel tank to overflowing at the mouth of the filler.
This soaks the diaphragm softening it and pre fills all the jets....
First pull starts are normal that way...
Lol. A few months ago, my mom told me that her riding mower wasn't doing a pretty cut. When I changed the blades the other day, all four ends were worse than the bad end of this blade. There was almost no cutting surface left on either blade. I'm surprised it was cutting at all. I hung them on the wall in my shop.
Hi James, thanks for another great video. But you were making me chew the keyboard in frustration, always a good idea to check for a bent crankshaft first (though that one looked straight when you turned it), then i guess those plastic carbs are the same as the alloy ones where you should flip the choke plate over centre before tightening the carb too tank screws to allow the diaphragm some free movement to turn off the choke. the speed adjustment is done by twisting that little upright piece not bending the whole top of the bracket backwards and finally please put the air box on the right way around before my head pops! 🙂
How’s the keyboard looking? 😬
@@jcondon1 IthinkIswallowedtheSpaceKey😁
Another award winning resuscitation!
Thank you!
Briggs was making that engine style with a metal carb body in 1970. My brother sold his mower it to a friend in 1990 and he used it at his cottage until about 2000. Never serviced the carburator in all that time.