Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): bypassing points and condenser?, briggs and stratton, old briggs

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I am working on a very old Toro Whirlwind commercial mower with a horizontal-shaft Briggs 23-D engine.  It has lost spark, and I am suspecting the condenser/points are bad. I have heard of some guys bypassing the points/condenser and just running using the coil alone, but no one has been able to show me how this would work.  Is this true, and if so how can I do it, or is this "urban myth??"
ANSWER: I'm not exactly sure what a 23-D engine is.  Are there any other model, type or code numbers on the engine?
Normally you can bypass the points but you can install an electronic ignition kit.  Briggs sells the "Magnatron" kit but this one requires soldering.  Several other manufactures sell kits that do not requiring soldering.  I would recommend a non-soldering kit.
Let me know if this helps.
Eric

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Eric,

The enclosed link here shows one that is identical to mine.
It's an old Briggs 9 HP 23D engine.  Briggs and Stratton has the manual for the engine in PDF format. The engine number plate is missing, so I searched Briggs'website and found it under manuals.

Thanks,

Morris

Answer
Have you researched the antique engine message boards?  I did some research and found that some older flywheels have 2 magnets versus current day single magnet flywheels.  I have very knowledgable with 1970 and up ignition systems but there may be some oddities with older engines such as 2 magnets and even a few briggs engines with reversed polarity magnets.
With single, newer ignition systems you need the points to open to charge the secondary winding on the ignition to generate spark.  With a 2 magnet setup it is possible to have the second magnet control timing and cause the primary coil field to collapse thus charging the secondary winding to generate spark.
I would think if it was possible to bypass the points then Briggs would have done it.
Have you checked for points for the 23D?  I found several companies listing points and condenser.
Have you tried filing and regapping the points/condenser?
Let me know.
Eric