How to Set the Points on a Briggs & Stratton Engine

Disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug by pulling on the black rubber boot covering the spark plug's tip.

Remove the three bolts holding the starter shroud to the engine. Set aside the starter shroud.

Place a flywheel holder into the fins of the flywheel. Hold the flywheel securely with one hand. Place a clutch removal tool over the clutch on the end of the crankshaft, and rotate the clutch counterclockwise to remove it. Pull the flywheel holder off of the fins.

Attach a flywheel knockoff tool onto the tip of the crankshaft by tightening the knockout tool clockwise by hand onto the threads until it stops turning. Back the knockout tool from the flywheel slightly by turning it once counterclockwise.

Smack the end of the knockout tool with a mallet or hammer. Hit the end of the knockout tool squarely and the flywheel should pop loose. Spin the knockout tool counterclockwise to remove it from the threaded crankshaft. Lift the flywheel and flywheel key off the crankshaft.

Loosen the two screws that hold the points cover in place and lift off the cover.

Rotate the crankshaft with your hand so that the points are separated at their widest point.

Fold a small piece of fine sandpaper in half and slide back and forth between the separated points. After sanding for a few seconds, blow away any debris.

Insert a .020 feeler gauge between the two points. If the gap is too narrow or wide, loosen the points' adjustment screw. Move the points so that they are lightly touching both sides of the feeler gauge and tighten the adjustment screw.

Reattach the points cover. Replace the flywheel key in the crankshaft slot, then position the flywheel over the key on the crankshaft. Tighten the clutch onto the crankshaft, then replace the starter shroud. Reconnect the spark plug wire to the spark plug.