Old briggs running for the first time...

[greenaccord02]

Today, I got my '54 6B-HS Briggs running for the first time. I've owned it for two years, and have been working on it as time allowed. The first year was spent on research and parts gathering. Over this past fall and winter I was able to get the final parts together and the engine completely taken apart, cleaned, and re-assembled. Just yesterday I filled it with Mobil 1 15W-50. Today, I mounted it on a 20" deck with a fresh blade and decided to give it a go... Would you believe it started on the third pull, which was the first if you don't count the two I did with the choke pulled out to prime it.

It's a gratifying experience, getting one of these old things running, and they sound cool, too. Like little a motorcycle, almost.

 

[DieselTech]

This is worthless without pics!!

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: DieselTech
This is worthless without pics!!

+1!

Awesome dude!

 

[Steve S]

If you didn't live so far away I would let you cut my lawn so I could enjoy how your lawn motor works. 3 pulls means you did a good job.

 

[greenaccord02]

Pics will be forthcoming. Just give me a minute.

 

[DieselTech]

I'm counting so hurry.

 

[greenaccord02]

Photobucket is acting really strange for me for some reason, have patience...

 

[DieselTech]

try webshots or tiny pics....Hurry up

 

[greenaccord02]

Turned out to be a linux problem with capitalization of .JPG extensions. Anyway:

It's not cleaned up, but I do plan to restore it cosmetically as well.

 

[DieselTech]

That is just awesome....I must retire for some alone time with myself now.

 

[greenaccord02]

Here's one of the sparkplug that was in it when I got it. It doesn't show any sign of use, just age. I guess however old that plug is represents the last time anybody tried to get it to run. The top part screws on and off. It's a Champion J-17LM, which is not the correct plug for this mower.

Any ideas on what time period this came from? It's unlike anything I've seen, but then I'm just 25.

 

[Johnny]

That is just way to cool. Way to go. NOW! Make a youtube video so we all can hear it.

 

[greenaccord02]

Actually I plan to do that this weekend. It sounds neat.

 

[pondfishr]

My Dad had one similar to your mower when I was a kid. This brings back some good memories. Thank you for sharing...

 

[Oldwolf]

Why the Mobil 1 15w50? Because of the high levels of ZDDP?

 

[boraticus]

Any aluminum on that engine? I can't recall when they started using aluminum to make the blocks.

 

[The_Jeff]

What, no deadman control?

Digging the air cleaner and lengthy intake runner.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
What, no deadman control?

Digging the air cleaner and lengthy intake runner.


Good for torque!

 

[greenaccord02]

Originally Posted By: boraticus
Any aluminum on that engine? I can't recall when they started using aluminum to make the blocks.
.

This was the very first aluminum block horizontal engine and the one that all future models of <5hp. horizontals were based on. The head is aluminum, too. Only the air vane and oil cap are made of nylon. No plastic at all. The similarities to today's Sprint and other similar series briggs are uncanny. It was ahead of it's time.

 

[greenaccord02]

About the dead man control, there was no such thing as the EPA or any safety requirements in 1954, they trusted the user not to be an idiot. Also, the breather on the crankcase on this engine vents to the open air. It wasn't till the 80's that they wanted to make them idiot proof and not till the early 90's that they wanted to make them safe for the environment.

The 15W-50 was really just being used as a break-in oil after the teardown. I plan to run it no more than 5 hours before switching to Rotella T Synthetic 5w40.