Briggs & Scrapiron identification and help

[Coon]

Hey guys and gals

Here's what I am looking at.  My neighbor gave me a Briggs and Stratton engine that I am planning on using for an edger that I am building.  Lloyd (my neighbor) told me that he believed this engine to be a 15 hp.  To me it looks like a bigger engine than that but I don't know for sure as the shroud is all rusted and can't be read.  I do not know how big of single cylinder engines that Briggs & Stratton were built and sold.  However, the identification tag was still easily read.  Here is the info I have on the engine:

Model No.: 23A
Type No,: 703020
Serial No.: 356315

I do not have any info nor know any of the particulars of this type of engine.  Does anyone have or know of where I would be able to obtain a free manual on this engine.  I need to know the carb settings,  Ignition timing, Throttle linkage assembly, etc...

Thanks in advance,
Brad.
??? ???

[beenthere]

Not specific to your questions, but found this site that has the 'birth' date (June 1957) and the carb as a type Q.

Briggs data

[beenthere]

Also found this site that indicates you can download a manual.

Briggs 23A manual

[JimBuis]

According to http://www.asecc.com/data/briggs/data4.html#23A
your engine was made in July 1957 and has a 3 inch bore.

I also searched on Ebay for a model 23A.  A guy on there claims that it was a nine horsepower.  I don't know if that is right or not.

Jim

[sawguy21]

That was one tough engine. The 23 was a nine horsepower with a cast iron block and would run forever with a little care. Parts are getting scarce and pricey though, here the points are over 40 bucks

[Coon]

Thanks for the replies everyone.  Actually Lloyd (my neighbor) said the he has about 4 or 5 more of these same engines out at his farm.  He said I can have all of them if'n I want em.  Of course I'll take em all.  The engine looks to be alot bigger than 9 hp though but you guys are probably right.  Just checking out those links right now.

Now to get it running.... and to design an edger..... any ideas guys????

Brad.