Briggs & Stratton 320400 series

After cutting grass for awhile the engine would sputter 4-6 times at different intervals. Adjusted the carb - no effect.
It got much worse and took to shop.
The breaker points were at .020 but checked and readjusted anyway- no spark. Changed the condenser - no spark.
Any ideas? Thanks, Fred
 
Your engine probably has an armature/coil under the flywheel. Check the magnets on the flywheel to see if they have strong magnetism when touched with a flat blade screwdriver. If they check ok you probably need a new armature. You can also install a new auto type coil as you would have to install an ignition switch and run battery voltage
to your new coil and then to your points.

Disconnect the old armature wire at your points.

First try rubbing the points with a point file or use a piece of 320 wet or dry until they're shiny then see if you have fire to your plug. Hal
 
Your armature should look similar to this. Hal
a169297.jpg
 
Hi Fred, that should be a cast iron single with external points? The easiest and best thing to do is to convert the ignition to battery ignition very easy to do on that engine and it will start and run better than ever. What brand of tractor is it in, you may need to use a new or independent on/off switch a automotive 12 volt coil a spark plug wire from the coil to the engines spark plug, I mount the coil to the blower housing, run a wire form the ignition switch to the coil (+12 VDC) then a wire from the - side of the coil to the points and it will have good spark the coil I use is a Wells LU800 they are 12 volt coils available at any auto parts store or tractor store. The coil El Toro posted will not work on this model of B&S unless you send the flywheel to B&S and have them replorize the magnets
GB in MN
 
It is a 12 HP cast iron engine on a Gilson tractor. It is an old one a '59. Has been a great outfit. Will try to get at it tonight. I do have a coil that can be mounted on the outside the engine. I am 89 and a "little" slow. If I get stuck will contact you.
Thanks to all for your input. Fred
 
I said it looked similar not that it would fit his
engine. I have that same engine on my Wards tractor I bought new in 1971. Still has the same armature. Hal
a169320.jpg
 
I have a Wards 14hp tractor made by Gilson. I bought it new in 1971. Hal
PS: I will soon be 82 and mom 84. Hal
a169321.jpg
 
(quoted from post at 21:35:44 09/20/14) I have a Wards 14hp tractor made by Gilson. I bought it new in 1971. Hal
PS: I will soon be 82 and mom 84. Hal
a169321.jpg

WOW! Beautiful tractors, the blue must be when Gilson made Ford tractors.
Hal, at our ages we have seen the best of the USA. Hopefully it can recover.
Fred
 
Hi Fred, the Gilson is a great tractor I've had a couple of them but to get at the mag coil under the blower housing you'll have to remove the engine from the tractor which is a major job on the Gilson / Wards tractors, it is so easy and simple to convert that engine to battery ignition and I've found every one I've done start and run better. Fell free to ask any questions you may have.

Hal I only mentioned that the mag you pictured will not work because of reversed polarity on the cast iron engine flywheels Briggs's magnetron magneto is one of the best and if any other engine that's what I'd recommend.
GB in MN
 
I never had a Gilson tractor, but 2 were being sold in northern PA at an auction. I called the
auction company and they said the tractors were never sheltered. Both were 16hp B&S engines. They were too far away for me to go look. Hate to see them scrapped. Hal
 
Here's a picture showing a farm tractor that has the mag converted to a distributor using an auto type coil. They're using a ballast resistor,but I would buy a 12 volt coil. Hal
a169447.jpg
 
My body was down for a few days. Today I installed a coil on outside of the engine, wired it as directed in some emails. Further, I found a B&S with a coil mounted on the outside. With permission I checked all wiring and have the same setup on mine. Same Problem: It will not start!
Am frustrated to no end.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Fred [/list]
 
Have posted an addition to my B&S 320400 series and haven't been able to forward it. It is posted at the bottom of the subject comments.
 

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