Briggs & Stratton Engine Identification

[ricky racer]

I have a B&S small engine that I am not sure what it might have gone on. I assume that with the speed reducer it probably went on a 2 wheel garden tractor, however it has a decal on it that says "Bell Telephone System" on it.

Anyone have any ideas??

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

That appears to be a pretty unusual speed reducer, and that along with the apparent age make me think it may have powered a blower or pump for use in manholes. All the units I am familiar with were designed as a one piece unit, but that appears to be much older than anything I am familiar with. Are you sure that is a reducer, and not a step up unit? In which case it could have been used to run a 6 or 12 volt generator or alternator for charging batteries in the field. Of course there is always the possibility that someone put the decal on as a whim, and it really had nothing to do with Bell. If it really was a Bell item it should have a property number on it somewhere, either as a stencil or a riveted tag, though the property number may have been on the complete assembly, not just on the engine.

[Jim Becker]

Isn't that dark green a standard Bell color from way back when?

[Roy47]

Ricky, it's amazing what shows up on this forum. I have a Briggs that looks identical to yours, except I don't have the speed reducer. I've had it for probably 40 years or more and I have never seen another one just like it until now. I always thought mine was military surplus only because it was dark green and looked pretty rugged. Can't even remember where I got mine might have come from my dad, not sure. Mine still runs great, and I have it hooked to a small water pump at the present.
Roy

[Rudi]

Rick:

I had to do that with a couple of the old B&S engines Dad has ... so I googled How to Identify Antique Briggs and Stratton Engines and got some good hits:

• A.S.E.C.C.`s Briggs & Stratton Technical Data
• A.S.E.C.C.`s Briggs & Stratton Engine Identification Methods.
• Brigg's Information
• Identifying Briggs and Stratton B&S Briggs & Stratton Engines

That is just a start. The last link is pretty interesting. This guy knows a fair amount about identifying B&S engines. Hope this helps a bit.