Originally Posted by speedracerntrixie

I guess I'm on a bit of a soap box here but IMO and this is not just for the OP is that if you have an engine that is not operating normally and especially one that is being difficult to start you really should stop trying, take some time to think about possible causes and then set about checking those possible causes. I think the worst thing you can do is continue to work with an engine this size that is being somewhat unpredictable. Yes there are dangeres inherit to what we do but why create more? If an engine is not going to start on the 10th flip, it's not going to start of the 50th either. Starting one of these at full throttle is just insane.

Now at this point I think the OP has enough info that he can go forward in a safe manner and fix his engine. He has been getting good info on another site as well