[SammyRye]

Somewhere on here I thought I remember seeing a Briggs & Stratten date code chart. When looking through the parts manual for a armature-magneto, there's two different part numbers. #398811 used after code date 81073100, and #298968 used before code date 81080100. If I'm reading this correctly, it's August 01, 1981, and July 31, 1981. Right? I see there's also a MAGNETRON ignition kit used after 81080100 and before 85012200. Having a 1982 990, does that mean the MAGNETRON was an option, or standard?

Thanks,
Rich

 

[kb4212]

Somewhere on here I thought I remember seeing a Briggs & Stratten date code chart. When looking through the parts manual for a armature-magneto, there's two different part numbers. #398811 used after code date 81073100, and #298968 used before code date 81080100. If I'm reading this correctly, it's August 01, 1981, and July 31, 1981. Right? I see there's also a MAGNETRON ignition kit used after 81080100 and before 85012200. Having a 1982 990, does that mean the MAGNETRON was an option, or standard?

Thanks,
Rich

The before part is because they had reverse polarity on the flywheel prior to that date. The Magnatron kit was not an option just a kit they came out with later to by pass the points system entirely. Hopefully someone can corroborate my story but I think that is correct.

 

[rscurtis]

You are correct, except for the flywheel polarity. Any aluminum engine with a two-leg armature can be converted to Magnetron. The cut-off date in 1964 IIRC. The polarity issue is related to the cast iron singles.

 

[kb4212]

You are correct, except for the flywheel polarity. Any aluminum engine with a two-leg armature can be converted to Magnetron. The cut-off date in 1964 IIRC. The polarity issue is related to the cast iron singles.

Yeah, just the 10hp and 16hp cast iron singles right?

 

[OldLawnMowerMan81]

Yes, since August 1981 B&S used Magnetron ignitions on all of their heavy-duty and super-duty engines, and then in June 1982 they used it on all their product.

Therefore, the first 990 to use a solid-state ignition on its engine was the model 142-990A from 1982.

~Ben