Converting Self-Propel to Push, as simple as it seems?

[Snapperfreak]

Just my opinion, I like the recoil down at the engine not up in the handle. But that's just me.

 

[OutdoorEnvy]

Just my opinion, I like the recoil down at the engine not up in the handle. But that's just me.

I'm leaning that way. I always bag so the cord stretched over the bag seems like it would be in the way for this type.

I took off most of the SP parts last night and started sanding down the rust on the handle. This weekend I think I'll pull off the B&S from the other mower just to see if it lines up on the deck. I really want to mow with this thing. The handle and deck are solid and all parts to mow are there. I'll be taking an angle grinder to smooth everything out before I prime and paint it all. It'll be hard to resist doing a shameful mow with it unfinished and a green engine if it all fits.

 

[Snapperfreak]

Cool, so will u be painting everything? Deck, handles and engine?

 

[OutdoorEnvy]

Cool, so will u be painting everything? Deck, handles and engine?

deck and handle yes.

For the B&S engine I'm thinking about just painting the cover white over the green. I will put it back on the other mower down the road after I get the honda engine. But I don't want it green and I don't want it red. I can make white match the other mower.

I am debating painting the grass shute either red or white as well. Red looks good on a couple I have seen, but I haven't seen a white one yet. I'm tempted.

I'm also undecided as to offwhite or a brighter white.

 

[Snapperfreak]

They came with red chutes up until 1979 I believe, then black. This will be a fun project, I've done a couple where I stripped everything down and repainted. When u take everything apart and put it back together it sure gives u a better understanding of his it all works. And that honda engine will be great.

 

[OutdoorEnvy]

Yeah it will be a fun and entertaining project. It might make me brave enough to find an old snapper WITH engine and do an original restore like the ones you do. One running good in good original condition would be very cool.

 

[Berniebac]

I pulled the engine off of the Craftsmen today. The drive gear assembly had to be disassembled to get all of its components off. Once I had the engine and drive gear off I washed the deck down and bolted on the old 3.5 HP Briggs.

I am having trouble with the throttle cable and the engine brake system. Of course the cables from the original motor don't line up and function differently from the 3.5 engine so I don't think they will work. The cables on the old 3.5 are too short to rig up to the new handle. So a little work to get this to function properly.

This old 3.5 was some what rigged to run automatically anyway. The neighbor I got it from had the throttle on full and the engine brake forced all the way on so he could start it. When he stopped mowing he used a small stick and pulled the plug wire off to shut the engine off. Not the safest way to mow but it worked for him for a lot of years. I would like to restore the engine brake system so that when the safety bar is released it will shut down automatically.

The problem is I can't figure out how this system works. I haven't looked at it too hard yet so it may take a little more investigation. I have found the engine manual, but it doesn't even show the engine brake system.

My engine is Mod: 92502; Type: 3151 02 Code: 87013151

Once I got it bolted down I thought I might as well give it a try so I cleaned the flywheel and the coil. Reset the gap with a business card and filled it with some fresh gas. Took three pulls and it fired right up. This engine has been in my shed for about six years, so I was pleased to see it start right up.

So now it needs fresh oil. The bolt for the blade that I have is too long, so I need a new one, or I need to cut this one down about half an inch. I need to rig a throttle cable and I need to figure out the engine brake system and rig a cable up for that. It is a "System 2 Manual Start" engine brake system. So if you know anything about that let me know.

Here are a few pics of the new engine bolted on and the old one beside it on the ground.

 

[Snapperfreak]

Not sure about the flywheel brake cable but as far as the throttle cable goes, could u drill a hole wherever it will fit on the handles and mount it there?

 

[Berniebac]

Not sure about the flywheel brake cable but as far as the throttle cable goes, could u drill a hole wherever it will fit on the handles and mount it there?

I could, but I would prefer to use the cables that came with the handle and deck. I think they operate opposite to the 3.5 hp cables. I believe they work by pulling on the throttle and brake on the 6.75 engine where as the originals on the 3.5 worked by pushing on the throttle and brake. Not sure about this, I have to look a little closer to figure things out.

I have the cable for the 6.75 brake and the drive gear for the self propel which I hope to be able to use. The original cables for the 3.5 are too short and might look out of place down low on the handle.

 

[OutdoorEnvy]

B&S parts seem easy to get it. If you know the length I bet you can find one that will fit.


Well my project hit a snag in that my B&S engine did not fit the deck of the old snapper. One out of 3 holes lined up. I don't want to drill on the deck and since I'm planning to put a Honda engine on it I will wait until then. That will give me plenty of time to refinish the deck and handle without rushing.