Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): rewind pulley problem, needle nose pliers, briggs and stratton

Question
Hi allen, I have a 1963 3hp Briggs and Stratton engine fixed on to a rotovator, at the moment the rewind pulley does'nt work the rope had snapped, I took the pulley to bits but I am now struggling to put the recoil spring back in it. Any ideas.

Thanks

Paul.

Answer
Paul,  first look at the spring coil.  Make sure both ends still have the T-shape to them.  If so, proceed as follows.  Prep your rewind rope to the new handle.  Take the end opposite the handle, heat it up with a small flame and wipe it with a folded rag to produce a stiff molded together tip.  Get a small C-clamp or large vise-grips, and a small pair of needle nose pliers keep them handy.  Turn the spring on its side and latch it into the pulley slot.  Make sure the spring lays naturally, if it wants to bend, you have it in going the wrong direction!  Go ahead and carefully wind the spring to the last foot on the pulley.  With the cowling on its back, and the spring/pulley vertical, insert the loose end of the spring into the cowling slot.  Here's the tough part.  Carefully rotate the spring/pulley, keeping the T-end in the cowling slot and install the spring pulley down into the cowling bottom.  Once sucessful, clamp the pulley in place, positioning it so the hole for the starter cord is directly across from the cowling cord entrance.  Insert the cord, use the needle nose to pull it up through the hole.  Tie a simple knot and heat it a bit with a lighter (or a couple drops of superglue).  Hold the cord a the cowling entrance and release the clamp, slowley feed in the cord, making sure it gets fully wound.  Congrats! You're ready!