Fish: The crankshaft extension screws into the crank, part # 691779, pic below. I wouldn't have cut it if it was a permanent part of the crank! The updated replacement starter kit #693900 comes with instructions to cut part #691779 and use an included nut to fasten the flywheel.
View attachment 44222
bertsmobile1: I don't think it's any harder to pull start than a FC420V I had previously, that is it takes a solid pull to start. I am careful to take up the slack in the rope first so I'm pulling solidly against the clutch and not slamming against it. The issue isn't the pull start, it is after it is running for a while, the clutch mech starts to bind on the shaft, causing the rope to push out of the starter and messing up the spring. This has occurred repeatedly, even after replacing the clutch, sanding the shaft with fine steel wool, using one or two drops of oil, and trying different oils (synthetic motor oil, ATF, light machine oil). I did just buy a new recoil assembly, new crank extension, and a new clutch, so will be putting all new parts in. If that doesn't take care of it I'm not sure what will.