Lucky with the Briggs F series Engines

[K.Watkins]

I am fairly new at collecting the Briggs & Stratton engines.Last Summer I picked up a Briggs FC at a Flea Market for $40.The magneto side Flywheel was shattered.I recently got a very good Flywheel for the engine.At the time I bought the engine,I knew it was a Briggs but had no idea what model it was or how old or rare it was.It was just a neat looking engine worth buying to restore.Two weeks ago,I went to preview an auction that listed an old outboard engine.I had no interest in it but,I had time to kill so I went to check it out.It was from the 50's A J.A.P.To me,not worth the trip. However, on the floor below some shelves,something caught my eye.It was a Briggs Model F.And Yes....This was not listed.First I thought,wow! Could I get LUCKY and no one else sees it, Do I have a chance to get it ??? After getting the FC I got to know what to look for on the F series Briggs.The Oiler was a dead give away. The worst part was,It was Saturday morning and the auction isn't until Monday at 1pm.I've read about and hear about engine fever and kind of get a kick out of it but,I had it !That's all I could think about over the weekend.That was the slowest weekend that ever past.Monday came and I was ready to give my boss short notice on leaving early.My Father was also going.He also likes Old engines and was excited about the Briggs when I told hime.I got to the auction and scanned over the crowd to see if I recognized anyone that might bid on it.It looked good.Then my father pointed someone out.The man was an engine collector.A friend of ours.I asked if he was here for the Briggs.He said to me,So you know what it is then ? I said yes and left it at that.He told me that I could start bidding and he would pick up if I stopped.His word was good and I felt good about it.I had to back off on bidding against him on a NEW HOLLAND No.1 Feed Mill.Excellent original paint and another item not advertised.So the wait was on.I waited for 2.5hrs.It seemed like for ever.The engine came up to the table and my heart raced.Up for auction we have an Old engine.A $100 to start off and down to $25.00 where I started it off and never Stopped.There was 10% buyers fee and 6% tax and a BIG SMILE on my face and my Dads.We now have 2 Briggs F series engines.The only 2 I've ever had.With a lot LUCK....I have been able to find 2 Rare Briggs engines within 7 months.I have to work on finding the other F series engines.As for the New Holland feed mill,He paid $40 for it,we paid $280 total for the Model F.I am happy and grateful for good Friends.I've added a photo of the MODEL F.You can still get Lucky at auctions.

[K.Watkins]

I am also looking for a Pull cup for the FC.Any help ?

[Jonathan Widelo]

I think you might have got the deal of the century, I think I could look all of my life and never find one, nice find congratulations. I had a similar experence at a swap meet I am was able to buy a Model TA Briggs engine at for 50.00 I almost passed by it , but something just made me stop and take a second look. I brought it home and got it to run with no trouble at all. As for the pulley for the FC Try Charles Camara of CPC Reproductions (CPCRepro@webTV.net) I think he makes a early style rope cup
he makes some high quality parts and I would 100% recommend Him
Good Luck and Congrats
If you find another Model F you dont want let me know
~ Jonathan

[Motormowers]

Congrats on a great find. I have been collecting Briggs 18 years and its mainly been just F series engines and I have never been that lucky to find a model F esp one that cheap. It took me many years before I was lucky enough to get an FC and FE. Im still on the hunt for an F and FB though and in time one will show up im sure. As for the rope cup the later cast ones for an FG on will work as the original FC was cast into the flywheel. John.

Boy oh boy,...hold on ta that thar F series, fully restored that thar could bring ya lots of green ones! though i probably never will have a F series becouse they cost so dogon much, i was lucky to have my FH! ahhh i just love these old engines! hahaha!

Sky

p.s. i saw them there F series go for 2 thou to 3 thou a peice before! nooo foolin! corse that was restored condition...
you wouldn't wanna sell that F would ya? iffn ya dont, didnt think ya would....then again, i dont blame ya!....worked for ever gettn this here FH of mine...i never will sell it....nore my other engine's.

[Ray Cardoza]

LUCKY DUCKY!! The last model F I saw for sale the guy wanted 2,350.00 restored of course. I would hold onto that thing and not let it go! I wouldnt even show it to people on the street because ya never know it might end up getting stolen! The only F series engine I have is the fh of course they made tons of them sunk about 400 hundred into parts for it but it was worth it!

[Bob Spaulding]

I have a Briggs engine MN WI ,SN 30455 ,Type 95831,its a 1936 2 HP ,I think,2,200 RPM,How rare is this engine? It runs great

[The Engineer]

great find i picked up a sachs rotary the same way motor was seized and when i removed the plug it was to long in the reach and had jambed on the rotor without harming the rotor sealsnow runs fine not old but rare

[James Wallace]

Oh my gosh... How many times have I seen the Peace Pipe Carb. go for as much as you paid for a MODEL F!!! Lucky! Can't wait to hear your story in 2009 about the motor wheel you bought for $400 with an extra box of parts that was a disassembled model P!!!! Good for you!

[grega]

i can do one better-fb,factory shroud,imackulate condition,25$
-greg
ps-it runs

[Jack H]

I guess my luck will be hearing stories like that! LOL!

You know the the Briggs F is rare when you go to the Portland engine show and a exhibitor has a table under his tent and only one engine is sitting on it. You guessed it, a Briggs F !

http://sites.google.com/site/briggsandstrattonfi/

You know it's an F when you ask a guy at portland what's his price on it. Then you pause and say uh...never mind. And the guy chuggles with ya becouse you both know you cant afford one.