Jacobsen snow blower won't start

If it's a male 120 V plug, then this is the electric start.

Carb cleaner is the standard "starting fluid" for small engines.

You look for the standard things first: air (snow throwers don't have an air cleaner, spark, fuel). Spark is tested by holing the plug against the block and pulling the cord. Fuel is looked at by seeing if the plug has gas when the engine is cranked.

If you have spark, you can insert carb cleaner in the spark plug hole and see if you get a spurt. If you do, this generally indicates fuel system.

Unless you use something like Stabil gas stabilizer, the gas valve may stick. You may have to take the carb apart and clean.

There is not enough info to determine if searspartsdirect has an online diagram or what engine the snowthrower has.

So, got it started last year after taking it apart and finding that there is no carb. Gas tank screws were loose from the body of the engine so there was no vacuum. Tightened screws and worked for most of the season. Emptied it properly and stored for the summer, now it won't start again without starting fluid. It roars to life and seems to start better when choke is closed but dies in less than 15 seconds. Since there is no carb, do I still need to look for a gas valve?
The plug on the front seems to only crank the engine not start it. Tried letting it crank for a half minute, but it doesn't help at all.
Model is OLD OLD OLD Jacobsen Snow blitz 20 #52012 T 26617.