Spin the engine until the two legs of the coil lines up with the magnet on the flywheel. Place a standard business card between the the flywheel and coil and let the magnet hold it in place between the two pieces. Tighten the bolts down. Spin the engine and get the business card out and you're ready to go.
There is no way to adjust the timing on a 17.5 Briggs engine. The magnet is on the side of the flywheel and there is only one way the flywheel can line up. All you can do is make wure that the coil is gapped correctly.
The coil is under the cowling on top of the motor where the flywheel is.
you can goto briggsandstratton.com and get a manual for that engine,
I have a 14.5 Briggs and Stratton engine on a Ranch King riding mower that will not start. After spraying starter fluid into the head, and air cleaner it fires for a second, but will not run. It is getting gas.....coil??? or something else?
The easiest way is to use a standard business card between the coil and the magnet part of the flywheel.
You buy a coil with it on it
go to B&S site they have all gap setting for every engine they have made.
You can not set the timing. It is determined by the keyway between the flywheel and the crankshaft. It only goes in one place. You can adjust the coil, the valves and the carburetor.
The gap should be about .0125 in. (.3175 mm.) or the thickness of heavy paper.
Depending on year and model of motor. : You will find the contacts either under the fly wheel or there will be a pick-up on the coil.
The coil is usually held on by two small bolts. Loosening the bolts will allow the coil to move closer or further from the flywheel. Use a feeler gauge to set the gap between the flywheel and the coil arms. Re-tighten the bolts when your done.
Briggs & Stratton Ignition Coils have NO documented measurement for the primary windings, however readings of between 0.3 and 0.7 ohms are common. The secondary windings should measure between 2K and 4K (including the resistance of the spark lead)