The engine ran fine last season and haven't tried to start it since but had to replace flywheel and starter gear to start this year. After replacing the gears and installing a new spark plug and charging the battery the engine spins freely and backfires but doesn't start. I don't know much about working on these engines and it sounds like the timing may be off. I did align the flywheel right with the key and installed that right back and I assumed the thing would start. Can anyone tell what might be the problem and what I can check next? Thanks

Where did you get the flywheel? Do the magnetic pick ups align the same as the old one?

Have you put in a new plug, if you take the time to pull it and look at it you might as well replace it.

Don