They have no decompression valve like a Victa ( mine doesn't seem to) so it is tougher to pull. A bit crude IMO. Mine won't so much as as utter a pop and it has spark. Maybe spark died under compression. In any case, I am happy to swap it for an amusing old B&S.
The Briggs engines of this era used a different 'compression lowering' strategy. Which they no longer produce documentation of; but I have a 1981 print copy of their Repair Manual...
The intake lobe on the camshaft is ground with a small ramp which holds the intake valve open 1/100 of an inch for a tiny fraction of the compression stroke. At slow starting speed the interval of time that the valve is open is relatively long and therefore enough air escapes to noticeably reduce the compression. However, at operating speeds the interval of time is so short that there is practically no escape and therefore horsepower is unimpaired. Actually at 3600rpm the valve is opened for a mere 1/200 of a second. In all other respects the valves operate as in any other four stroke cycle engine.
The force required to start an engine is reduced by 50% with 'Easy Spin' and would be noticed most by a person who has difficulty starting the ordinary engine.
Briggs went away from Easy Spin due to its making hot starts, particularly after the engine has been stalled, more difficult.
