Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Altinator, briggs and stratton, riding lawn mower

Question
I have an old Boles riding lawn mower that had an 8 horse Briggs and Stratton on it.  It finally went out on me and instead of fixing the old one i chose to buy a new engine.  The place i went said they do not make a replacement motor for the 8 HP any more so he suggested a 12.5 which has the same bolt patterns and i would like it to have an electric start on it but he told me it is hard to know which alienator it has and i do not understand this.  I would think it would have what ever was connected to it and just attaching a battery to it why it will not start.  This mower is old and has room in the back to mount it.  the original motor was electric start but i replaced it with a manual start. so i know it works is their anyway i can find out so i can get the right mower?

Answer
Check out these links:

http://faqs.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/faqs.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=26&p_c...




http://www4.briggsandstratton.com/miscpdfs/RNT/alternator_replacement.pdf

Briggs alternators can be identified by the connector plug.

Let me know if they help.

Eric