How To Install A Tachometer On A Briggs & Stratton

Briggs and Stratton are known throughout the lawn mower industry. They make single cylinder and V-twin engines. If the engine begin to runs sporadically or you just want to make sure it is running at the correct RPM (revolutions per minute), hooking up a tachometer can give a precise reading of the engine's performance. It takes only a few minutes to go through this procedure.

Step 1

Place the engine on a hard, level surface. Check the engine oil to ensure the proper level.

Step 2

Turn on the tachometer and set the meter to four stroke.

Step 3

Wrap the end of the lead coming from the tachometer around the spark plug wire. It's located at the front of the engine and is plugged into the spark plug.

Step 4

Start the engine and check the reading in the idle position. Rev the engine to the full throttle position and check the reading again. Check these readings against the operator's manual, as every Briggs and Stratton engine has different specifications.

Remove the screws that hold the air cleaner in place with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Set the air cleaner and screws aside in a safe place. A small spring is typically attached to the arm. Loosen it just enough to allow the cable to move through the support freely. Tighten the bracket mounting screw to hold the adjustment you've just made. Adjust the throttle lever to its various positions to ensure that the throttle link controls the throttle in accordance with the settings. Reinstall the air cleaner by screwing it back into place.