Flywheel removal from OLD 80702 Briggs

[Millwright]

Good Evening!! Didn't expect to have trouble removing a flywheel, but here I am. This briggs 3.5 (?) HP vertical shaft engine is on an old tiller my father had from as long as I can remember (I was born in 70, I believe he had it then!)...I need to access the points. I have removed the cover, and since it is a pull start, the piece to engage / release the rope is in the center. I do not see how to remove it, assuming i need to, and I do not see a nut to remove before pulling the flywheel. There is also a shaft sticking vertically up in the center that the square starter drive sits on.

I have removed a couple dozen flywheels, just not familiar with this set up. I'm sure someone here is. I just don't want to tear anything up. This tiller ran great last spring, but now has no spark.

(NOTE: I have to get up to go to work at 1:15am tomorrow, so I may not be quick on a reply if anyone asks questions!!) THANK YOU!

[KE4AVB]

I think your posting about this type of starter clutch.

They can tapped off using a hammer as they just screw on but you should use the removal tool as you will need to torqued it back on. Here is a picture of the tool.

[bgsengine]

Yup .. some of us cut our eyeteeth working on those.. Lots of tricks to removing the clutch - usually involving a block of wood and a hammer, but no real way to accurately torque them back on without the special tool.

[Millwright]

Okay. I can do that. Thank you!! I bet my buddy has that tool in his stash!

[KE4AVB]

Now you will still a flywheel puller but should be fairly straight forward once you get that starter clutch off.

[38racing]

Now you will still a flywheel puller but should be fairly straight forward once you get that starter clutch off.

Will the little briggs banger tool on the crank end likely work on this unit?

[RoyM]

I have that tool, it sits collecting dust in the bottom of the tool chest, but in the past have used a pipe wrench to remove the starter clutch. Now I cut the wires going behind the flywheel and replace the coil with the Magnetron version.

[Millwright]

I thought about installing a magnetron set up, but I am gonna look at these points first. I am not sure if they EVER have been replaced. If they have, I will guarantee its been 30 years ago! If I can clean / adjust them, I will just laugh and do that. If I have to replace them, I will probably update. Thank you all very much for the replies. I'm too tired to work on it tonight, plus its raining, so I will update later after i do it.