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I just acquired this Snapper V21. It has a Briggs 3.5hp on it. I'm not sure of the year, where can I look find the year? The motor was locked up solid, but some Seafoam Deep Creep penetrant has it loosened up. I will go through the carburetor sometime this week hoping to have it running soon. I also sprayed a ton of Penetrant into the carburetor to help loosen it up when I go to clean it up.

Where can I get a side shoot or a mulching plug for it?

The first digit in the serial number on the deck is the last digit in the year it was made. If s/n starts with a 7 it's a 1977 model. Best place for those parts would be eBay.

Where abouts is the s/n I only saw the one on the engine. I will be getting the number when I get home. Then hopefully a quick clean of the carb, sand the magneto for spark and oil change just to see if I can get it to fire. Then I'll get a carb rebuild kit and go further. Just don't see sinking alot of money into it unless I know it will be good.

Any tips? I know my way around these mowers, just not this old.

The s/n is on top of the deck behind the engine. It might be only 6-digits long on those older ones. I'm sorry I can't help with the engine much, I'm not really mechanically inclined that way but it looks like it will clean up nicely and a carb kit isn't much, maybe $15 I think. I'd guess that's an early '70s unit, maybe '72 or '73. But it looks good, hope it works out for u.

Deck s/n: ?4076 the sticker tag is worn on the first number and can't read it


Engine s/n: 92908-0703-01 7206168

The engine was made in 1972. My family had a Snapper dealership from 76 until the early 90s. Your mower is older than any we ever sold.

My best guess is '72 or '73. That's a neat old mower.

Can I have it?

Man that's a nice piece.

I will agree with 1973.

Would be nice to get that engine going.
What you have is the best cutting push mower ever made.

Thanks guys. This was my grandfathers. He loved this old mower. He used until he sold his house 2004. Then it sat behind my parents shed, it was covered up. He passed away last October and I want to get it going again. I have a newer John deere push I got going that someone was throwing out, so I'll see that and use this. Any suggestions on where to get these parts?

I just put a new plug on and grounded it and there's no spark. I cleaned the contacts and still nothing. I'll pick up a magneto and carb kit.

hurst1979olds said:

Thanks guys. This was my grandfathers. He loved this old mower. He used until he sold his house 2004. Then it sat behind my parents shed, it was covered up. He passed away last October and I want to get it going again. I have a newer John deere push I got going that someone was throwing out, so I'll see that and use this. Any suggestions on where to get these parts? I just put a new plug on and grounded it and there's no spark. I cleaned the contacts and still nothing. I'll pick up a magneto and carb kit.

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eBay is the best place for parts.

With my limited mechanical knowledge my only advice is this: since it was your grandfather's don't get rid of it. Keep it, running or not.

Re: Freshly Acquired Snapper V21 Aluminum Bod

I'll check it out on the eBay. Will any 3.5hp briggs work or only a 1972 for the magneto. I know carb has to be correct. The governor springs seem stretched as well. Will a carb kit come with those or seperate?

A couple more pictures....hope they come out, I'm uploading from my phone

Another question, Should I get it running and just mow and be done with it. Or should I get it running, then strip it down and repaint and restore it?

That's a toughy for me.

I've done a couple of complete tear downs and re-paints. I've come to realize I prefer original patina, however the condition, over re-painted. It just feels more original. Now that's a call u have to make for yourself but that's my opinion.

The 21500PC I refurbished last year looked really good when complete, and if I kept it in the garage for display only it may have been fine...just to look at. But I wanted to use it and I did and spray paint just doesn't hold up like the original finish. Powder coating is an option that would be better, but cost more too. If u decide to reprint I'd look for original decals to put back on. Clickitandstickit dot com is great for that. They'll make any decal u need, all the need is a picture and dimensions of the decal.

I was able to find the ignition coil on ebay. They vary in price from 15-29$....I cannot find a positive source on the carb kit. They seem tricky with the numbers and such.

Here it is with the flywheel cover off. There's 2 wires off the mag. One goes to ground the other goes under the flywheel. So it still has points? Should I pull the flywheel which is easy for me to do. Or just put a new electronic mag and eliminate the points.

hurst1979olds said:

Here it is with the flywheel cover off. There's 2 wires off the mag. One goes to ground the other goes under the flywheel. So it still has points? Should I pull the flywheel which is easy for me to do. Or just put a new electronic mag and eliminate the points.

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I would eliminate the points.

New coil is ordered. In the mean time I will clean up under the the cover, clean out the carb. and it should be good to go.

Diaphram in the carb was completely shot. It was rusted and the piece for the choke was not connected to the diaphragm. I ordered a new one and should be here tomorrow. The coil should be here tomorrow or sat....i hope to be mowing by sunday

That will be a fun mower to use. I had a 1974 V210P that I really regret selling last year. It ran great. Didn't use it much but it was so cool just to look at. I remember the grease had that old smell to it. Sounds off but it added to the vintage feel. Another one I let go that I really miss.

I had a bunch when I was a Kid. I'm now 28, but started cutting neighbors grass at 9. I only ever had Snappers, and I never bought a mower. I have over 10 mowers behind my parents shed, I would part them out and junk the rest, or get one going when would stop working. They were all 80's models and when I got older, I put them to the curb. This was the only one left. I really regret getting rid of them all.

Sounds like u were mechanically inclined from early on. That's cool, me not so much but I do enjoy collecting them. I'm ten years older than u and I remember always seeing snappers as a kid and wishing I could have one. Guess I made up for it.

Those were good mowers! Most of the aluminum decks had an extra set of planetary gears in the transmission than the steel decks. It was always fun to watch a new mechanic replace the spring and rope in one of those sidewinder starters the first time!

Well I got my coil in on Saturday. I'm still waiting on the diaphragm gasket which should be here today. But I got it running on straight either and it sounds good.

The Briggs on the Snapper is one of my favorite engines,I have Toro with the same engine.

It runs after 10-11 years. Just need a throttle cable and governor spring and adjust the carb. It's hard starting. Choke flap needs to be held open... .any ideas

I ordered a governor spring and new throttle cable. But man this thing is a bear to get started. I have to keep the choke flap open with a screw driver, and give it a shot of either. Then it will sputter and I have to mess with the throttle to keep it running, then its fine after that and it runs good.

I tried adjusting the screw on the side and got it to idle good and everything. THen I shut it off and then bango, wont start. Got to pull a million times, prop open the choke again and then it will fire.


Any ideas or suggestions?

I got the mower running great. Starts first pull. I also got the new throttle cable in today. I've been running it without the cable for the time being. Haven't mowed yet with it.

I got an oil leak. I changed the oil and now I get oil pudding in the back on the deck. Looks like it's coming from the diptube. Should I just pop that out and put silicone on it and re install?

Is there an O-ring down by where the dip tube goes into the engine? I'd try replacing that first.

I haven't checked. There might be. But is thus a common spot for it to leak. It would seem like it.

It can if that upper tube isn't fully into the engine. There's two small screws that attach it to the side of the engine, up by the cap. See of those are loose.

Is this what I need for the bagger?

Yep that's it

Awesome. The throttle cable I got was too short. I returned it and bought the longer one. I have yet to mow with it. I've been crazy busy with work and housework. I went to mow the other day with the throttle held open and a zip tied bag but then the neighbor came over. One beer led to another and I didn't cut the grass.

This piece is only 22$. I can't wait to use this thing!

Ya I know how one can lead to another...and so on. It's great brining something so old and cool back to life.

hurst1979olds said:

A couple more pictures....hope they come out, I'm uploading from my phone

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Love those vertical pulls!!!

My dad just texted me. Looks like he found a mulching block off. Think it's for this mower?

Actually that looks like a side-discharge chute

Even better, I'd rather have side chute anyways. I bet these get hard to find for this model.

You might be right, I've never come across one like that. Good find.

Been awhile since I updated, but I got the side shoot on. Have yet to use it tho. Probably this weekend.