OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Briggs & Stratton Engines Briggs & Stratton crankshafts

first up i just like to say this is a great and informative forum for anyone tinkering with mowers, snipers, chainsaws, etc, a real gem thanks.
now my question here is mainly to do with 3.5 hp B & S crankshafts and the markings on them. I've put a few photos here to illustrate what i'm trying decipher




. all these cranks have he number 700 printed on them on one side along with the B&S logo i also have 1 with 699 on it, on the other side there is 2 digit number and a series of 3 letters and numbers in a stamped square, can any one shed light on the meaning of all these stamps

it would appear that this one has fallen into the too hard basket maybe, so after further reading here on this forum, could the two digit numbers on these crank be the manufacturing plant id ?
also how compatible are these crankshafts as a swap out item in the 3.5/3.75 B &S motors over the last say 10- 20 years, as ascetically they look the same, with the counter weights all lining up the same when placed in row on a flat surface
the journal are all within a umpteenth of each other, allowance for wear i guess and the only real difference i can distingquish is that some are longer than others ( to suit different mower decks i assume ) with different key way slot locations and of course the various numbers stamped on them as explained/asked about at the beginning of the post

The crankshafts look as if they are forged, and the number on each may be the number of the forge die that was used. They are not plant numbers.

The engines were sold with a choice of output shaft lengths, and sometimes diameters. The type and position of keyway could also be varied. There may be other variables as well. I have not found a simple, comprehensive comparison of Briggs PTO designs comparable with the ones in Honda workshop manuals.

well, I've got enough parts so i guess a little experimentation is order.
ill keep a record of what i change out and report on the success/failure at a later date