When I found my first very early Briggs & Stratton engine, I reached out for help. And when I realized exactly how close to the beginning of production my engine was, I knew I needed serious Briggs & Stratton expert help to restore it and get it running. So I ventured online and discovered a discussion group that looked as old as my engine. I mean it was on the web, but it was a relic from dot matrix days - no links, no color, no frills at all. Anyone using this forum had to be hard core.
Two old timers emerged from my inquiry. One was from New Zealand and the other from Austria. In the discussion between them, one of them happened to mention, "oh, if you need an expert on antique Briggs & Stratton engines you need to talk to this guy in Portland Oregon USA." I knew he didn’t mean me. I’m in Oregon, but not Portland. But, could there be another Briggs & Stratton enthusiast so close to me?
You don’t always get this lucky. They pointed me to a man who lived only 50 miles from my house and was a member of my club whom I had not met yet. For obscure advice on an obscure topic, an obscure corner of the internet provided a surprisingly local solution. May your quests be as fortunate.