NOS Vintage Briggs & Stratton 3hp engine

[Iggi]

I could not believe it when i opened the box. It was at the bottom of a large pile of boxes i was going through. A brand new unused in the box vintage briggs 3hp horizontal shaft engine. Pulled it out of the box and was just WOW. Does anyone have any idea what year she is? The copper paint looks great on the old girl. I was going to keep her but decided to put it up on ebay to see how it does. I do not need another box taking up space in the garage. Here is the link in case anyone is interested in her. http://www.ebay.com/itm/201537717776?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

 

[nine4gmc]

That's pretty pristine. How did you come on to it?

 

[Iggi]

I found it at an estate sale along with quite a few other tools i brought home. The man had a tool problem to say the least. I also brought home a brand new unused 80s miller thunderbolt 225 AC welder. Estate sales in older neighborhoods are goldmines for vintage gear and tools.

 

[nine4gmc]

Yes they are, have you seen our annual Garage Sale thread here?

 

[Iggi]

I have not. When it held? How does it work?

 

[bonneyman]

There should be a metal plate with some stamping on it. Tells the model number and year. My old B&S lawn mower has it on the air cowling around the fan blade.

 

[littlefan]

look for the numbers that are stamped into the blower housing. model type and code, code number will give you year month and line numbers I can see in photo 3 say it was made November 1974

 

[Stuart in MN]

Looks like a good reason to build a minibike. If not, there are a lot of minibike guys out there who would love to have that engine.

 

[four.cycle]

I can see in photo 3 say it was made November 1974

correct. three sets of numbers stamped on blower housing: model, type, code.
the first two digits of the third set (code) are the year, the next two digits indicate the month.

a 41-year-old lawnmower engine that's been sitting dry in storage might need a new carburetor diaphragm, but that remains to be seen yet.
but if you're selling it "as is", that's not your problem - let the buyer deal with it.

your price is more than reasonable for a brand new engine. I see used ones going here during the spring and summer for $75 and up - used horizontal shaft engines are pretty difficult to find.
(well... of course unless you don't mind buying a Chinese "Predator" from Harbor Freight.... but good luck trying to find parts for it.)

 

[RM209]

Very cool! I remember those engines that had the pull out (Cast?) metal choke assembly. Nice engine.

RM209

 

[theoldwizard1]

I remember that gold/copper color that B&S used to use !

 

[Iggi]

Thank you for the dating information. I knew i should have not listed it on ebay. Nov74 is my birth month and year. I should have kept her.

 

[moparfreak]

I work at B&S and can say that the only place I've ever seen an engine of that vintage in that good of shape, is in our corporate museum. That is quite a find! Very cool, I definitely would have kept it, myself. Good luck w/ the auction!

 

[gungatim]

I was going to say 60's or 70's. when I was in power mechanics class in HS in the mid-80's, all the motors we learned on were those exact model/color (and seemed at least 10 yrs. old). we had to completely tear down and rebuild in 30 minutes or less and it had to start by the 3rd pull in order to pass the class...remember that color well!

 

[Rileysan]

I have not. When it held? How does it work?

It's simply a thread to post all of your yard/garage/estate sales purchases throughout the year. It's fun and inspiring to see what everyone is finding out there.

Here's the link. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=314689

Brian

 

[Iggi]

The amount of regret for putting it up on ebay is growing by the day as i read y'alls responses here. Boy i hope it goes for good money to help easy the regret a bit.

 

[Jawn]

The amount of regret for putting it up on ebay is growing by the day as i read y'alls responses here. Boy i hope it goes for good money to help easy the regret a bit.

Can you pull the listing as no longer available?

 

[Roberts210]

The amount of regret for putting it up on ebay is growing by the day as i read y'alls responses here. Boy i hope it goes for good money to help easy the regret a bit.

You can cancel the bids and end the auction early. Do it.

 

[Iggi]

I might just do that and end it early but i am not sure about it yet. I have so much stuff lying around and need to reclaim some room. Here are a few other new in box never used gems i found. A Miller thunderbolt 225V AC welder, a snap on torqometer and an vintage robin 2 cycle weed eater engine for something called a Whizz Witch.

 

[CNGsaves]

+1 to kill the Ebay auction and save that AWESOME Briggs engine.

You can easily find a mini-bike frame or go cart frame and have bitchin' cool ride !!

 

[LG63]

That Thunderbolt may even be more of a collectors rated at "225V" instead of 225A.
Let's hope 225V isn't the open circuit voltage!

Edit: My error, I guess 225V was Miller's model designation for that machine after reviewing some google images.

 

[NJ Marty]

I would cancel the auction also as you will regret it when its gone. Hold onto it and when its done sinking in how special it is you will be relieved you didn't sell it. Clear out some space selling items that are not NOS vintage, I would think there might be 10 or so of these NOS engines laying around forgotten in storage in the entire USA. Maybe more maybe less, just a hunch.

 

[Old Steamer]

I grew up wrenching on these as the local NAPA also did small engine repair. My dad worked in the NAPA machine shop and he let me come by and learn small engine repair. By the time I was 13, I could rebuild one of these with no problems. It sure brings back memories.

A friend of mine bought an old push style leaf blower with an 8 HP cast iron Briggs engine and it runs like a top.

The last several years at the Carlisle swap meet there has been a guy selling nothing but NOS Briggs and Tecumseh small engine parts.

Cancel the auction and keep it.

 

[StillTooManyHobbies]

I have purchased stuff from that guy at Carlisle. He's usually back in the "cheap seats" towards the left. Usually lots of small parts and decals, even some complete engines. Last year he had 2 Yanmar diesels that came from MEP-016D generators, mostly complete for $50 each!