1944 Briggs Model N

[bowtiebutler956 649]

I know I haven't been posting anything new lately, but thats mostly because I haven't gotten another yet, so I haven't really had much to post up. Well, that being said I have been working on a bunch of old vintage Briggs engines, and although they have nothing to do with our horses, I have enjoyed restoring them. I've already finised two, and I'm currently working on my 3rd, and I decided to post it here whether you like it or not. I've curently finished a 1953 NP, and a 47 NP Briggs, but the one I'm working on now is a 44 Model N. Here are some pics of it when I first got it. You'll notice it had a broken cooling fin on the block, but I knew that in advance, and found an exact replacement.

Matt

[bowtiebutler956 649]

Here are some pics of the replacement block, and some of the parts after sandblasting.

Matt :flags-texas:

[bowtiebutler956 649]

Here are a few pics of some of the parts after paint. You'll notice in one of the pics I had painted my ID tag silver since all but the stamped numbers were faded away, but I have since found somone who reproduces the original Briggs tags. I posted a sample pic here, but when mine gets here it will have all my original numbers on it.

Matt :flags-texas:

[bowtiebutler956 649]

I got my block back from the machine shop today, as it had rust in the cylinder, and required a .020 overbore to clean it up. I'll try, and get some pics of it tomorrow. I rebuilt the carburetor as well, and I bought a product from the Eastwood company called Carb Renew, and I really like the way it brought this old carb out. This is a 68 year old carb, so its finish was nothing but a grayish silver color. In one of the pics, I have it sitting next to another carb just for a contrast. I love this stuff, although I don't know how durable it is yet, but the Eastwood Company makes good stuff.

Matt :flags-texas:

[1maidenfan 201]

Great job :happy-jumpeveryone:

[JackC 616]

Looks like new. What black paint are you using?

[krazy_horse 59]

Very nice engines and very nice work on them. I like the attention to detail.

[bowtiebutler956 649]

Its just an industial gloss black enamel that I still had a gallon of, from my Toro Groundsmaster project. On most of my little engines I just use a rattle can black gloss called Rust Tough, but I really want this one to shine. Although they were never painted this shiney from Briggs, I like them shiney. In the pic of the housing/gas tank next to an already completed engine, that engine was done with a rattle can.

Looks like new. What black paint are you using?

Matt :flags-texas:

[Jake Kuhn 1,547]

Very nice job on them Matt! :handgestures-thumbup:

[Martin 2,130]

matt, looking good....

i like the detail.

its also refreshing to look at some different engine internals for a change......

what were these engines used on earlier in their life?

[bowtiebutler956 649]

Martin these Model N's were used on David Bradley walk behinds, reel mowers, the famous Doodlebug scooters, military generators, pumps, and just about anything else you could use a small engine on. Did you notice that this engine has an oil pump? Only the early model N's had oil pums, the later ones whent to dipper on the con rod.

Matt :flags-texas:

[MarkPalmer 80]

Awesome classic small engines, and excellent work. Those are some of the best pictures I have seen of the inner workings of those Briggs engines Newer aluminum engines just can't take the place of a good 'ole lump of American cast iron!

-Mark-

[Terry M-(Moderator) 2,126]

Nice engines Matt, I'm maybe guessing that you made the gaskets i see in the pictures? or are they still available.

[bowtiebutler956 649]

Thanks,and here are a few before, and after pics of the engines I've already finished. The first 6 are my 53 model NP, and the second 6 are my 47 NP, but the one I'm working on currentley will be the nicest of the bunch.

Matt :flags-texas:

[bowtiebutler956 649]

Nice engines Matt, I'm maybe guessing that you made the gaskets i see in the pictures? or are they still available.

They are not made anymore, but you can still find them. Although they are getting pricey, so I'm very careful of my gasket, and I make the non critical ones myself. Head gaskets, and most of my other hard to find parts like oversize pistons, rods, crank seals, etc, I get from a guy by the name of Will Woodrow out of Virginia. You can also find stuff on .

Matt :flags-texas:

[Terry M-(Moderator) 2,126]

Thanks Matt. maybe a video of them old briggs running some day. :USA:

[bowtiebutler956 649]

Thanks Matt. maybe a video of them old briggs running some day.

How about now?

Matt

Here is the 53 NP

http://youtu.be/DpBX06a6mYM

Here is the 47 NP, but it wasn't quite running right in this one so I adjusted the carb, and took another video.

http://youtu.be/kQLAOphAtk4

Here is the 47 NP running better.

Matt

http://youtu.be/aOBGsepaxjo

[bowtiebutler956 649]

Here is the 47 NP running right.

Matt

http://youtu.be/aOBGsepaxjo

[Terry M-(Moderator) 2,126]

Thanks matt! Those are some sweet engines you have!!, thanks for the videos!!

[AMC RULES 36,945]

Nice work as usual Matt, what are your plans for these little works of art?

[bowtiebutler956 649]

Nice work as usual Matt, what are your plans for these little works of art?

Well Craig, the one in this thread that I'm restoring right now will just be for show, with the occasional start up. The ones in the videos, as well as 2 others I have need a use. I was thinking about a self powered reel moxer for the back of Danny's Bantam, which I think would be cool, because they used these N's on the Bantam Jr. I'm also wanting to build an old vintage looking air compressor with one. So I'm still working on coming up with something. Rebuild the engine is always my favorite part of any restoration, so it just made sense to start restoring engines.

Matt :flags-texas:

[CasualObserver 3,406]

Those are pretty nice Matt. I just love those little old vintage Briggs. The N's the 5's and 6's.... they're so freakin simple and probably more bulletproof than our beloved K181s. But you're right... the old stock parts are getting harder and/or more expensive to get. So many of them though are just like your 47... clean and gap the points, give it a new spark plug and make sure the carb is clean. Fire it up and go! Thanks for sharing. :thumbs:

[bowtiebutler956 649]

I got the engine block painted today, along with a few other pieces, and I'm very happy with the way they tuned out. Here are a couple pics.

Matt :flags-texas:

[Terry M-(Moderator) 2,126]

Still looking good Matt! I wish I had your painting skills.. :bow-blue:

[bowtiebutler956 649]

Tooks a few more pics today. I got a NOS Briggs .020 piston, I also got a correct spark plug wire for a Model N, and I got an old vintage Western Auto spark plug thats gold, and I think it matches better with the rest of the engine, although a Champion J8 was original. I also got the thumb scew for the top of the plug. Here are some pics.

Matt :flags-texas: