I noticed that the spark plug wire could interfere with the linkage for the choke. I made sure that is is not interfering and shall try it probably later in the week. A repair shop noted 25lbs compression and replaced the needle and seat. They said that it did not clear the problem.
I have an older Toro Recycler mower the is tough to start when cold. Sometimes I try a dozen pulls, then I squirt some gasoline into the carburetor and it starts. Is there any way to add a primer into the engine for cold starts?