Have a jd 345 with kaw 20hp liquid cooled engine that has spark and cranks fine without choke but locks when choked is on when it hits the compression stroke. Pulled valve covers and checked valve setting. Turned engine over by hand and watched valves open and closed and it seems as if the engine is in time as the intake valve opens on the downward stoke of the piston and closes as piston hits bdc. Both valves remain closed as piston comes back to tdc and then after piston goes back down exhaust valve opens on the upward stroke. Have tried tostart it and it won't start. Checked plugs and sometimes the plugs are wet and sometimes they are dry. It will try to start but just doesn't take off and run. It did eventually start once, ran about 5 seconds and died and will not even try to start. Sprayed starting fluid, very little , into carb with choke off and it locked when it hit compression. The carb does not have a solenoid. Could the timing be out? Thought that maybe the plastic cam gear may have jumped a tooth but if it did wouldn't it have stripped the teeth and the cam would not turn at all. Like I said the valves open and close and it appears that they are opening in sync to the position of the piston. Does it have a time delay module as I read that if it doesn't have a fuel solenoid it will not have a tdm. I am lost and need any help I can get.

I have almost a complete engine torn down for parts! [email protected]