Your guy behind the counter is either ignorant, uninformed, or just bullsh*tting you.

If you do remove the points and the pushrod, then you do need to plug the hole or oil will come up and go all over the back side of the flywheel. However, just leave the points in place and don't bother removing flywheel. Cut the lead going into the point cover as close as possible behind the flywheel, and then don't worry about it.

Also, price of $54 is pretty stiff. List price should be about $42 and aftermarket and OEM internet suppliers range from $30 to $40. Correct p/n is 397358 for 130000 series vertical and horizontal engine. Even less expensive is to reuse your own coil and fit a B&S module for about $15 p/n 394970. A little more work, but saves money.

I don't know who your dealer is but you better find another one LOL!

I just had the same thing with a 5hp briggs. I bought the electronic ignition module that you use with the original coil. Most likely the coil is good and the old points are bad. I got mine for twenty bucks and I followed the directions and walla!!

No need to fiddle faddle around with flywheels and such just do the electronic ignition. Leave the old points in place and snip the wire.
You will need a solder gun to do the job. Its really pretty easy to do and will save your good engine too.

Neal

"Even less expensive is to reuse your own coil and fit a B&S module for about $15 p/n 394970. A little more work, but saves money."

My suggestion too.

Walt Conner

Don't feel bad, that coil retails for $60.00 here.I recently sent one at my cost (I owed him a favor) to our friend Doc in Australia, $80 by the time the dust settled. He was quoted $120.00Aus. Yikes.