Jon, I believe you and the others to be correct in
diagnosing the problem is in the carb. As far as the
timing goes, well you're taking me back to high school
power shop and I graduated in 79. On most of those
small engines, the flywheel has a magnet built into it
and there is a coil that needs to be gapped properly
in order for the ignition system to work properly. In
other word, a very simple and basic magneto ignition
system. The timing is set internally when the engine
is assembled as the cam is gear driven from the crank
and moves the lifters directly. Since you said the
engine was running fine when it was put up several
years ago, I seriously doubt timing is an issue. Your
weak spark could be (and I'm guessing here) a light
coat of rust on the flywheel magnet where is passes
under the coil. I suspect the gap is ok there as well
since the engine was running back when. If the engine
runs when you supply a constant supply of fuel, the
problem is in the carb. As others have said, and I
agree, probably a partially plugged needle valve or
jet.
Just my 2 cents worth,
HTH
Ray
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