What causes the "screaming/screeching" of the starter mechanism on an
old Briggs and Stratton engine (while engine is running)? The kind
that sometimes results in a "backlash" (for lack of a better term) of
the starter rope around its pulley. I've seen several mowers do this
occasionally but I've never seen FAQ maintenance tips regarding
prevention. I suspect the ratchet mechanism is the culprit but upon
inspection (spinning it by hand with cowling removed) I've seen
nothing wrong with it. I've tried lubricating mine but doesn't seem
to help.
you need to pull the starter clutch off and clean it out, and re
lube the crankshaft stub. it's the crank sticking to the inside of the
clutch.

Also, when removing the starter pulley (to untangle the backlash or
replace the spring), the metal retainer tabs will eventually break
off. Anybody have a fix for broken tabs, short of buying a new
cowling?
All briggs motors come with multiple tabs for just such an occasion.
Use the extras when the originals break off. Stens corporation make
plastic pieses that lock onto the cowling that fix it when you use up
all of them.


And while I'm on the engine topic, I've recently been shopping for
another small, simple, cheap, push mower. I'm astonished to find the
new designs have no throttle on the handle. What's up with that? Sales
people I've talked with (Walmart, Kmart, Lowe's, Home Depot, etc)
can't answer why a throttle is no longer standard design nor whether
or not I can add one myself (kit for extra $$ maybe?). They simply
tell me I don't need a throttle, at which point I move one with my
search (whether I need one or not, I *want* a throttle). Anybody here
ever jury rig a throttle one one of these new throttleless designs?
Seems simple enough but I haven't looked closely at it yet.

lawnmowers are designed to run at full throttle. there is never a
good reason to run a mower at anything less!!!!!
Chip