I can see 5 photos you included with your first post, Craig, so please keep doing what you are doing. It sounds as if something may be wrong at BB's end.
Your mower is a Series 2, so I'd guess it was probably made later than 1973, but I can't tell how much later. However we should be able to tell you within a few months, if you post the Model, Type and Code of the Briggs engine. Those are stamped on its cooling air cowl, near the carburetor.
Our SB45 guru, Deejay, will be on line soon and will continue this thread. Please post the Model, Type and Code as soon as you can though, since he will need them.
